Don’t be a hijack victim

Car-hijacking syndicates want your car, and they will do anything to make sure they take it away from you, by force, even if they have to kill you in the process.

The police have urged vehicle owners living in or visiting Kathorus to take the necessary precautions while driving, especially at night.

The police have warned motorists that car thieves operate around the clock. Therefore, drivers should always be on the alert for hijackers at all hours of the day or night.

Drivers who find themselves victims of a car hijacking are advised to remain calm. They should rather surrender the vehicle without resistance than try to be a hero and end up losing their life or those of their loved ones.

Keep your hands where the criminals can see them and do as instructed, while remaining as calm as possible, to avoid startling the criminals.

In most cases, victims are “marked” by syndicates and then followed around for days, or even weeks, to establish their routine before hijacking them.

Commenting on what may have been the beginning of a spate of vehicle hijackings last December, the Vosloorus media spokesperson, Capt. Piet Rossouw, warned motorists to always vigilant.

The Flying Squad believes most of the targeted vehicles are used in committing crime, while others are traded for parts or taken across the border into neighbouring countries such as Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Swaziland.

Victims of hijackings are often couples sitting in a parked vehicle. A driver arriving home from work in the evening may also be hijacked while opening the garage door.

Below is some advice that can help keep you safe:

· Keep your doors and windows locked at all times.

· Avoid driving at night if you can.

· Never give strangers a lift, especially if you are alone.

· Do not drive through unknown, secluded areas.

· In the event of a breakdown, dial the 112 emergency number from your cellphone.

· Always call someone inside the house to open the gate or garage door.

· Be careful when you approach a stop street, especially at night.

· Always keep your lights on bright when driving in a dark, unfamiliar place.

· Before you drive into your yard, look around you as you drive in.

· If you suspect anything, drive to the nearest police station.

· Do not use your cellphone as you approach your destination, as this could distract you.

· Always keep your vehicle in good, drivable condition.

· Install a tracking device on your vehicle. It makes it easier to trace your vehicle.

· Know the registration number of your vehicle.

· If you survive a hijacking, keep cool and dial 112 and ask for 10111.

· Report all criminal incidents to the police.

The most common hijacking hot spots are;

· Katlehong

· Vosloorus

· Thokoza

Most of the vehicles hijacked in these areas are recovered in:

· Zonkizizwe

· Sunrise

· Extension 28

· Extension 14

· Vosloorus

· Katlehong

Hijacked or stolen vehicles are often found parked inside homes in the following areas:

· Phumula

· Leondale

Popular types of vehicles recovered in homes in these areas are:

· Hi-lux bakkies

· Mercedes-Benz

· Ranger

· BMW

Most vehicles stolen on the far eastern part of Ekurhuleni are found mostly in:

· Vosloorus

· Dawn Park

· Tsakane

· Daveyton

Areas with frequently reported home burglaries are:

· Phumula

· Rondebult

· Holomisa informal housing settlement

· Windmill Park