The police in North West have warned motorists about hijacking in the Brits and surrounding areas following numerous reported cases of car and truck hijackings.
“In a recent case in Brits, a truck driver was on his way to collect a machine at Pendoring Street. Upon arrival, he was attacked by two unknown males who pointed a firearm at him and forced him to drive away from the scene. The victim was tied up with a rope and then left in the bushes before the suspects drove off with the truck,” said police spokesperson Captain Mpho Manyoba.
In another incident reported on Friday, 1 August, at about 19:15, a 54-year-old man was confronted by three unknown men while he was getting out of his white Mahindra bakkie in Hebron. “The suspects threatened him at gunpoint and instructed him to get out of his vehicle. One of the suspects got into the victim’s vehicle and drove off, while the other followed in an unidentified vehicle.”
Mayoba said that most of the incidents occurred at various spots on the N4 during the night near the various off-ramps towards Rustenburg. This includes the Brits / Johannesburg Road off-ramp, Randburg off-ramp, Zandfontein off-ramp, Majakaneng off-ramp and others towards Rustenburg.
Motorists are urged to always be vigilant and apply the following safety tips:
Check that you are not being followed. Always be extra vigilant when leaving malls, your work, or when heading home late at night or early mornings. If you suspect that you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station or any busy public area. In most of the reported cases, victims were accosted by criminals while entering their places of residence, just before or after opening the gate.
When stopping behind another vehicle or at junctions and traffic lights, leave enough space in front of your vehicle to make an emergency escape, if necessary, from hijackers.
Be cautious while on the road. Know where you are going beforehand to avoid getting lost in unknown areas.
Report suspicious vehicles and persons to the police.
Avoid carrying large amounts of cash with you whilst travelling as this makes you a target for criminals.
Do not stop next to the road or give any person a lift. If you must use a bathroom, stop at a garage or shop, where there are other people around.