A frightening incident, believed to be an attempted hijacking outside the Savannah Country Estate security gate in the east of Pretoria, was caught on camera and the video was shared widely on social media.

This has led to motorists being urged to be extra careful and be aware of their surroundings.

The video, seemingly from February 2, depicts two vehicles, a bakkie pulling a trailer and a black SUV Range Rover Defender trying to enter the estate. However, a third vehicle, a white VW Polo sedan, quickly pulls up and two armed men wearing balaclavas get out of the vehicle.

The men attempt to violently engage the Range Rover, which leads to its driver quickly escaping into the estate by tailgating the bakkie.

As the Range Rover makes its escape, the suspects in the white Polo quickly reverse and drive off.

A security company that was on the scene reported that the incident is still under investigation and that it is a sensitive matter. It added that there’s an internal investigation underway to establish who leaked the CCTV footage.

Pretoria Rekord reached out to the police for a comment on the incident, but none was received at the time of publishing.

The police have however shared safety tips aimed at providing a potential hostage or hijacking victim with practical advice.

In many instances, injuries and deaths are the result of actions taken by the victims. Here are guidelines that could increase a victim’s chances of survival and decrease the risk of humiliation, discomfort and injury.

Safety awareness during hostage situations and hijackings

Know what to expect as a victim:

• People who are taken hostage or hijacked tend to experience feelings of anxiety, shock, disbelief and confusion. This first reaction usually leads to resistance or retaliation which could have fatal consequences.
• Prepare to be alone and isolated from your family, friends or loved one, and to lose track of time and place.

Know what to expect of the perpetrators:

• They could be tense, anxious and nervous.
• They could overreact.

Do’s

• Do everything the perpetrators tell you to do.
• Try at all times to maintain your pride, dignity and self-respect.
• Keep your brain active by playing games in your mind (mind games), daydreaming and reading whatever you are offered.
• To maintain your physical strength, you should eat the food provided by your captor(s).
• Try to maintain a sense of humour, but do not ridicule the aggressors.
• Try to remain orientated regarding your movements, directions, time and place.
• Try to maintain a routine and remain fit, if circumstances permit.
• Allow yourself to be led by your captor.
• Try to remain cool and calm.
• Fall flat and remain on the ground during the relieving attack.

Don’ts

• Do not at any time become panic-stricken or hysterical.
• Don’t offer any form of resistance.
• Don’t become abusive and aggressive or lose your temper.
• Don’t threaten or provoke the captor(s).
• Don’t try to be a hero.
• Don’t engage in an argument with the captor(s).
• Don’t engage in any whispered conversations with the perpetrators.
• Don’t use foreign concepts of language, as this could arouse the captor’s suspicions.
• Don’t make any demands.
• Don’t be sympathetic towards your captor’s cause.
• Don’t try to escape, as this could place you at risk.