Update, 13 October, 3.35pm
Commenting on the latest attack on a group of 7 Iraqi diplomats travelling from OR Tambo International Airport last night (12 October), Dorian Toussaint, CEO of Professional Passenger Services, confirmed the shuttle had been hijacked by a group of armed suspects at approximately 7.40pm at the Corlett Drive offramp.
On the back of the hijacking of 36 Dutch tourists just two weeks ago, Toussaint said this recent attack, is highly concerning for the tourism industry and South Africa as a whole.
Toussaint said the company was currently in the process of upgrading their fleet with advanced live video streaming and tracking and fleet management technology. The vehicle involved in last night’s incident already had the equipment installed and the investigating officer is reviewing the footage.
“The new fleet management and tracking system in the vehicle proved that the driver used the recommended route at the scheduled time and followed company protocol. The onboard video cameras, which continually capture HD video 247 should produce clear evidence of some of the perpetrators together with the events.
“While this equipment can’t prevent these incidents from taking place, the value they offer to the industry is footage available within hours of the incident, resulting in the case receiving greater attention as the evidence is current and a higher chance of apprehending the criminals. The footage can also be used for training and education purposes,” said Toussaint.
“I believe urgent collaboration is required between all stakeholders to combat this increasing trend. We need a solution whether it comes from the private or public sector or a combination of the two,” he concluded.
Original report, 13 October, 8.22am
In another attack on foreign travellers in South Africa, seven tourists were accosted by armed robbers on Corlett Drive in Rosebank on 12 October.
Seven tourists have been robbed at gunpoint by an unknown group of men on Corlette Drive in Johannesburg.
— TAU (@TAU_TTM) October 13, 2017
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Vish Naidoo, “The tourists were on their way back from a conference in the Western Cape. They were returning to their accommodation in Johannesburg when they were accosted by a group of armed, unknown men at a robot.”
A group of visiting Iraqi diplomats were followed from @ortambo_int and robbed at the Corlett Drive offramp. One seriously injured. pic.twitter.com/AcwePXRs94
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) October 12, 2017
Their personal items such as jewellery, cellphones and luggage, were stolen.
Naidoo confirmed that one tourist was assaulted and that no arrests have yet been made.
One Iraqi diplomat has been hospitalized after the robbery. They are visiting high-ranking police and army officials. @MbalulaFikile pic.twitter.com/6qXyUieZqX
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) October 12, 2017
One visiting Iraqi diplomat was assaulted by the robbers. Gang made off in two vehicles. The visitors were en-route to their JHB hotel. pic.twitter.com/Sw6FeklcGc
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) October 12, 2017
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Tips to avoid follow-home robberies
UPDATE: Husband and wife followed and shot outside hotel in Morningside
Taxi and Gautrain passengers are warned about a new crime trend
