A NEW Germany motorist was shot during a botched hijacking as she pulled into a driveway during a spate of hijackings in the highway area.
Criminals continue to target homes in the area with more than 40 crime incidents ranging from hijacking and housebreaking to theft and trespassing reported over the past two weeks.
This is according to Blue Security’s latest crime statistics report, which covers suburbs from Westville, New Germany and Pinetown to Kloof, Waterfall, Hillcrest and Assegay.
Blue Security’s managing director, Darryn le Grange, said it was concerning that there had been three hijackings, and one attempted hijacking during which a motorist was shot, in just two weeks.
“Three armed men hijacked a resident in her driveway in Sieksmeyer Street in New Germany. She tried to reverse when she noticed the men but they fired shots, injuring her in the leg before they fled the scene,” said Le Grange.
Paramedics attended the scene and took her to hospital for treatment. The matter was reported to the Pinetown SAPS who attended the scene.
“In a separate incident three armed men hijacked a motorist in Henwood Road in Pinetown and fled with his car, while a second motorist hijacked in Mkhula Road in Dawncliffe was taken in his car by the hijackers and dropped off in Spine Road. The hijackers then fled in the car,” said Le Grange.
In the fourth incident, two armed men hijacked a motorist in his driveway in 4th Avenue in Ashley.
Le Grange urged residents to be vigilant when entering and leaving their driveways as this is one of the most vulnerable locations for hijacking.
“When you are stationary in your car you are vulnerable to hijacking. This means that you are a target for hijacking at traffic lights, in your driveway and at your driveway gates, in parking lots and while picking up or dropping off children at school,” said Le Grange. “Monitor vehicles travelling behind you, and as you get closer to home, take note of people walking in the streets or loitering and also check for vehicles parked on the pavements. Hijackers have been known to loiter carrying bags or small back packs to appear as workers or students passing through an area. If you feel in the least bit uneasy don’t pull into your driveway but call your security company for an escort or drive to your nearest police station,” Le Grange said.
Le Grange said although the number of armed robberies had dropped to just one incident compared to the previous two weeks there were a high number of housebreakings, trespassing and theft incidents. “Three armed robbers held up staff at a business premises in Westmeadmead Road and fled with cash and a stolen BMW,” Le Grange said.
