Beware of hijackers, Pretoria West police warn
“At least one or two hijacking cases are reported at the station weekly.”
Pretoria West police are concerned about a recent increase in car hijackings in the area.
Police spokesperson Constable Sibongile Vuma said they have seen a rise in the number of hijacking cases being reported to the station over the past three months.
“At least one or two hijacking cases are reported at the station weekly,” said Vuma.
She said she cannot specify which area is being targeted more than the other as these incidents have been happening all over their policing precinct.
“It is happening all over Pretoria West, so I cannot specify which area is affected. These hijackings happen randomly and at any given time.”
Despite the warning though, the latest crime stats showed a decrease in hijackings.
During the release of the fourth quarter crime statistics, recorded between January and March 2021, a total of 36 carjacking incidents were recorded in Pretoria West, compared to 42 incidents during the same period in 2020.
This translated to a 14.3% decrease in incidents in the crime category.
A hijacking victim, Thabo Baloyi, said he was visiting his girlfriend when was targeted by the hijackers last month.
Baloyi said the hijackers held him at gunpoint and ordered him to get out of the car.
“I was parked outside her student accommodation because they did not allow visitors inside. A silver Toyota Etios parked behind my car and the two guys who were sitting at the back jumped out of the car. They ran to both front windows and pointed guns at us. They instructed us to get out of the car and that was the last time I saw my car.
“I never thought it could happen to me and it was a very traumatic experience. I now fear even driving around. I always feel like someone is following me and this has made me very paranoid.”
Vuma warned motorists to avoid parking late at night in areas where there are Wi-Fi hotspots as they are easily targeted.
“I would further suggest that motorists avoid Christoffel, Soutter and Middle Crescent streets in West Park and not to park outside any student accommodations from 17:00.
“They should avoid driving around or parking in areas they are not familiar with.”
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