Hijackings on the rise in townships
Two male suspects were arrested on February 16 by EMPD Specialised Task and Intervention and SWAT teams, who recovered a reportedly hijacked SUV in the Leondale area.
The two men were arrested during a crime-prevention operation in Leondale, where the law enforcers were patrolling.
EMPD officers were approached and stopped by concerned members of the community about a suspicious-looking house on Blesbok Street. They told the officers the house was often frequented by shady characters during the wee hours of the morning and not so long ago, a dark-coloured German-make SUV with Mpumalanga registration plates was seen entering the premises at a high speed.
EMPD media spokesperson Kobeli Mokheseng said, “The officers responded to the call and headed straight to the house, where they found two occupants. After being questioned, the two men were arrested when the officers uncovered a 90 per cent stripped blue BMW X1, which was reported hijacked in Mnisi section, Katlehong, earlier that day.
Mokheseng explained to Kathorus MAIL the EMPD does not provide the media with details of suspects arrested for vehicle crimes as they hand over the suspects to the nearest SAPS.
Vehicle crime statistics reveal car thefts are more likely to result in the death of the victim. Many of those who survive hijacking at gunpoint say it is the most traumatic experience they have gone through.
These include victims such as 40-year-old mother of five Nobantu from Ramokonopi section in Katlehong, who asked for her full names to be withheld.
“I still wake up at night with sweat on my face and goosebumps because I remember my hijacking experience,” she told Kathorus MAIL.
Const Sivenkosi Mutwa, communications officer for Katlehong SAPS, said hijacking around the townships is very high.
Police have also confirmed that although a large percentage of stolen vehicles are often driven across the borders into neighbouring states, in most instances many of them are stolen to commit crimes or sometimes for joy rides by criminals. The stolen vehicles are later dumped without being damaged or stripped of their parts. They are also sold to car-crime syndicates for parts.
Mtwa explained SAPS management has revived an old policing unit to deal with the alarming hijacking rate.
