With crime being a reality, South Africans are forced to live by the motto “expect the best but prepare for the worst”.
Some of the most traumatizing and heart breaking crime stories could be heard from victims of hijacking.
Tongaat Policing Forum chairperson Nazir Sadack urged people to remember that a car is not worth your life.
Sadack shared 5 things to keep in mind during a hijacking:
“People are usually stressed and scared during these situations but the main aim should be to protect yourself and your family.”
1. Try to remember as much detail as possible
This includes vehicle registration numbers, clothing and distinguishing features.
Although it might be difficult, you have to force yourself to focus, even if it is just on distinguishing features like the hijackers scar or tattoo.
It is highly likely that the person may have a criminal record and they could be identified through that.
2. Do not resist
Many people are hurt because they attempt to fight back.
Your life is more valuable that your most expensive car.
If you have your kids in the car, let them get out first to avoid the hijackers getting into the car and driving away with your children.
3. Drive to the nearest police station
Always be aware of what is going on around you.
Make it a habit to check that you are not being followed.
If you have even the slightest feeling that you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station or a place where there are a lot of people.
4. Be safe on the road
A common hijacking tactic is to target drivers while they are driving.
Do not respond to people indicating that there is something wrong with your vehicle.
Rather stop at your nearest garage.
5. Save emergency numbers
This seems like common sense but people do not save numbers.
Instead, they rely on their memory.
When you are faced with a stressful situation, it is easy to forget numbers that you would normally remember.
Save numbers of your closest friends or relatives with “ICE” at the front of the name. This means ‘in case of emergency’. In this way, if you are too traumatized or even hurt, someone that goes through your phone will know who to contact. This is also helpful to paramedics and the police.
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