Special crime alert issued
Hijackers in are targeting private motorists by method of asking for lift.
Hijackings, armed robberies and muggings are rife at a number of hotspots northwest of Pretoria, police warned this week.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Lolo Mangena urged residents to be vigilant in these areas.
Unsafe spots in Soshanguve and Mabopane included the famous Aubrey Matlala Street, Sun Valley and Itsoeseng next to unit D.
The area had seen a number of burglaries, hijackings, robberies, purse-snatchings and common robberies.
Robberies were commonplace in Aubrey Matlala Street, one of the longest inner streets in Soshanguve – stretching from Block L in the south to Block H in the north.
“In Soshanguve, we have identified Block L, H, F, R, M, VV. Here crimes like hijackings, house break-ins and robberies frequently happen.” said Mangena.
“This is also caused by a huge influx of people walking or driving to Soshanguve Crossing Mall, and criminals – especially the Nyaope boys – take advantage of that.”
Mangena warned motorists against giving lifts to strangers.
He said a gang of hijackers in Soshanguve had lately been targeting private motorists by asking for lift.
Rietgat police had received several reports the apast few weeks of motorists being hijacked after offering lifts to strangers.
One of the victims, a 27-year-old man, was hijacked between Block LL and NN on Monday after he had offered a lift to two unknown men.
“The man was relaxing at a drinking place in Block NN. When he left, two unknown men outside asked for a lift to Block LL as he got into his white Nissan 1400 bakkie around 19:00,” said Mangena.
The man agreed and as they were driving, one of the men produced a gun and the other one hit the driver over the head with a beer bottle.
They took his car and left him lying unconscious on the roadside, said Mangena.
Another man was hijacked in similar fashion on Soutpan Road around 20:30 on Monday.
He had given three men a lift, who then pulled firearms and hijacked him. The motorist’s car was stolen as well as cellphones and cash.
Police were searching for a Nissan 1400 with registration number DZ 53RK GP and a white Toyota Tazz, with registration number BFH 683 L.
Warrant Officer Mathews Nkoadi urged residents in Ga-Rankuwa’s sector 1 and 2, that incorporates Unit 23, 24, 25 and 15, to walk in groups at night.
“We have stepped up our patrols, but wish to also urge people in Ga-Rankuwa to avoid these areas if possible during the night,” he said.
“In sector 2 at Unit 1 there’s a passage between the Tshwane University of Technology and The Hotel School that is extremely dangerous.
There had also been reports of armed robberies in the bush between Tsunami section to Unit 15 and Unit 16 around the industrial site.
Other crime hotspots in Noweto included Akasia in Hornsnek, Orchards Ext 49 and WonderPark Mall. Police said robberies were rife, especially at night.
In Pretoria North, police identified President Steyn, Ben Viljoen and Gerrit Maritz streets.
Nkoadi said Wolmer Train Depot, Wonderboom, Soutpan Road, Diworosong, Haakdoornboom, R101 and Hebron Roads were hijacking hotspots.
Also read:
Tshwane metro police catch dumper red handed
Tshwane Metro police arrested for armed robbery
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