The News has identified a hijacking trend in Krugersdorp that motorists should be aware of.
Another unsuspecting driver became a hijacking victim on Saturday, 11 March, when he was pulled over by suspects posing as Metro Police officers.
Also read: Hijack syndicate strikes again
This is the third incident this year in which victims in the area were hijacked by people posing as officials. As in the previous cases, a white VW Polo Vivo with blue lights was used to pull over the unsuspecting driver.
The latest victim alleges that he was driving in a company vehicle when he was pulled over. Two unknown males dressed in full Metro Police uniform approached him and asked for a cold drink.
When the victim took out his wallet to give them money, one of the hijackers pointed a firearm at him and forced him out of his vehicle. He was then forced into a third vehicle, an Opel Corsa bakkie. The bakkie had four occupants when he stepped into it. En route to the open space in Soweto where he was dropped off, the perpetrators took all his personal belongings. He was rescued by a passer-by and taken to the nearest police station.
One of the previous incidents took place in similar circumstances – on 2 March, perpetrators also in a white Polo Vivo pulled an unsuspecting driver over. They approached the vehicle and the victim noticed they were dressed in traffic police uniforms. After occupying the victim’s bakkie, they also took him to a place in Soweto where they dropped him off and fled the scene. They also had a firearm and took all his personal belongings as well.
A few hours after the victim was hijacked by these fake cops, the Soweto Police Vehicle Identification and Safeguarding section (VISS) recovered the stolen vehicle. No arrests were made. The canopy of the bakkie, plus the personal belongings of the owner that were in the vehicle were however stolen.
“We have noticed an increase in this type of crime and don’t want others to fall into the same trap,” said Warrant Officer Van Dyk from VISS.
Official police warning:
Since the incidents have happened repeatedly over the past few months, the West Rand Cluster Police are warning other community members not to fall for this trend.
In a previous press statement, Sergeant Thsepiso Mashale, spokesperson for Krugersdorp Police, urged the community to still be vigilant and report any suspicious activity that may take place in Krugersdorp.
“The public must inform us about these situations in order for action to take place,” said Mashale.
What to do in this situation:
Van Dyk gave the following advice to motorists to avoid being caught with the same scam:
“Motorists who are pulled over by an unmarked vehicle and those who feel too uncomfortable to stop should put on their hazard lights and drive to the nearest petrol station or public place. Make sure this place has security cameras or CCTV cameras.”
Since the incidents began, the Soweto Police have stopped using unmarked vehicles with blue lights, to ensure people don’t fall into this trap. However, the Krugersdorp Traffic Department still uses unmarked vehicles with blue lights to pull people over.
Mashale said if drivers suspect criminal activity, they should drive to a safe place where there are other people.
“They can also contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 to report suspicious activity,” he said.
Papi Motaung, spokesperson for the Krugersdorp Traffic Department, also said it is of vital importance that community members should know of such criminal activity in the area and that they should always be on the lookout for these instances.
Also read: Woman injured in attempted hijacking
“It dents the image of our uniform-wearing personnel,” he said. “Also, motorists should rather stop at a busy place with CCTV cameras, like petrol stations or taxi ranks, or drive straight to the nearest police station if they feel threatened.”
The Road Traffic Act states that motorists must stop if a vehicle fitted with blue lights and occupants wearing uniform pulls them over. This is because some police detective units use unmarked vehicles in order to allow the detectives to enter areas unnoticed. The police utilise marked vehicles for visible policing (crime prevention), but detectives and other investigating units have unmarked vehicles. Unmarked vehicles are more effective when detectives are investigating and tracing suspects. A marked vehicle serves no purpose when trying to apprehend suspects.
However, it is acceptable for the motorist to switch on his vehicle’s hazard lights and drive to the nearest public place. Motorists must, however, maintain a reasonable speed and make sure they indicate their intentions clearly.
Anyone who is hijacked in this manner should go to the nearest police station to report the matter. A call can also be made to 08600 10111 to request police response to the complaint. Victims must make sure they open a case and ensure that it is registered.
The most important things to remember if you become the victim of such a hijacking are: Stay calm and adhere to instructions. Don’t be a hero – your life is irreplaceable.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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