EFF councillor’s Merc hijacked

The Vosloorus SAPS are investigating a car hijacking case that was reported in December 2016.

The communication officer at Vosloorus Police Station, Capt Piet Rossouw, confirmed the news.

“It’s true that there’s a case of car hijacking – of a white Mercedes Benz – that was reported at the police station.

“It’s alleged that the complainant parked his car at Kereke Street in Extension 7, with his friend on Tuesday, December 13 at about 8pm. Two African males approached them. One of them took out a gun and forced them to look down. They demanded the car keys; they then took the keys and pushed the driver inside the car. They drove with him to another house, where they forced him into a room and searched him. After that, they drove with him again and dropped him off at the R55.

From there, he managed to find the way to the police station to open a case,” said Rossouw.

Rossouw added that most of the cars which were hijacked and recovered, were used to commit crime while others were stripped off some parts.

“Criminals like these cars because they’re fast.”

According to Solly Mkhize, the complainant, life is difficult without his car.

“I bought that car because I wanted to upgrade from the one I used to have. Now that it has been taken away, I’m back to square one. Even though I can manage to move around, it’s not easy with the old car.

“What makes this more painful, is the way it was taken away from me – the force they used, pointing the gun at me,” laments Mkhize.

Mkhize said he would like anyone who might have information to come and help him, so that he could help the police to get his car back.

“My car is a white Mercedes Benz C180 AMG. Its registration number is ZJG366GP and it has no tracker,” reflects Mkhize.

Mkhize, who is a member and councillor for the Economic Freedom Fighters, is one of the victims of Mercedes Benz and BMW hijackings that are taking place all over the country. His car hadn’t yet been recovered at the time of going to print.

The communication officer at Katlehong Police Station said there are so many cases of hijacking of Mercedes and BMWs that are reported, but he can’t issue statistics as it’s not his place to do so. He rather gives words of advice to the drivers of such cars out there.

“Most of the cases reported are of people who were hijacked while entering their premises, or parked in the driveway, or at the park. There are also cases of people hijacked at the robots, but they are rare.

“You find out that people who are hijacked, have usually been followed at a distance without noticing the trailing vehicle behind them. People must check on vehicles following from the rear. If there’s a car that’s been behind you for a long time, don’t drive straight to your house. Just drive to the police station or phone the police, to tell them where you are; giving them the registration number of your vehicle and of the car that is following you. By so doing, you’ll be saving yourself and others from hijacking,” explained Ndobe.

Ndobe went on to advise people not to fight back, if they are being hijacked.

“Just be calm and give the hijackers the car, rather than lose your life. Your car can either be recovered, or the insurance can replace it. That’s better than losing your life,” Ndobe concluded.