WeeklySA_AdminRISK: Fact is no South African can with certainty be safe from being hijacked, but there are certain safety tips that can help save your life
By Ali Mphaki
It was a balmy evening in Soweto. The Mini Cooper Checkmate test unit was parked on the side of the road and had its sunroof opened as I sat with my female friend outside her home in Protea Extension XIV a Burning Spear’s live reggae music recording softly in the background and talking this and that…
Saw these three boys from the rearview mirror approaching our vehicle (from behind), but dismissed them as locals walking towards a nearby shebeen located four or so houses away from my suitor’s place.
The threesome walked past our vehicle and I could see them stop outside the shebeen in front of us, but they did not enter the drinking hole. Instead, after a few minutes of conversation they turned back and walked past the Mini Cooper again only to turn back a few paces away ..
This time they spread themselves with two of the scumbags approaching the vehicle from the passenger side and the one pacing towards the driver’s side. Call it whatever but I never imagined this was a hijacking about to take place until I felt some cold object on my head via the sunroof and a voice ordering me “OUT OF THE CAR!”
The other two had already opened the passenger door and were already fiddling with our cellphones and wallet on the centre console, which they stole.
With my arms raised I was able to open the driver’s door (with a gun pointed at me) but told myself am not going to cooperate with these vagabonds.
On egressing the car I threw myself scrum-like to my would-be hijacker and was luckily able to thwart him and his gun fell on the ground which gave me an opportunity to bolt away ala Usain Bolt, leaving my female friend behind.
I ran to the nearby shebeen and summoned help, but when we came out the three had ran away having relieved us of our car keys, cellphones and my empty wallet except for bank cards, drivers license etc.
Needless to say, it was a huge shock and a memory that remains etched in my mind. Wynand van Vuuren of King Price Insurance warns that my actions could have been fatal.
“Don’t be a hero,” he warns. “If a hijack happens, just give up your car and your possessions. Move slowly, keep your hands visible and don’t look directly at the hijackers.
If you have children in the car, tell the hijackers that you’re going to take a few seconds to get them out. Don’t get involved in verbal or physical altercations,” he adds.
The safety tips from King Price comes at a time when car hijacking in South Africa has increased by 6.5% from last year and information from Tracker shows that hijackings account for 55% of vehicle crime incidents among their customer base.
Gauteng, according to crime data is by far the worst place for hijacking, with the areas around Johannesburg and Pretoria being the hardest hit. Gauteng earns its title as the hijacking capital of South Africa, by hosting most of the 10 hottest spots for hijacking in the country.
Here are South Africa’s top 10 hijacking hotspots:
Sydenham, KwaZulu-Natal
Springs, Gauteng
Chatsworth, KwaZulu-Natal
Dawn Park, Gauteng
Dobsonville, Gauteng
Rietgat, Gauteng
Roodepoort, Gauteng
Moffatview, Gauteng
Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal
Booysens, Gauteng
Merely knowing where the hijacking hotspots are, however, is not enough. Luckily the king has a few extra tips to help you stay safe and, hopefully, avoid being hijacked.
Here are the King’s tips to try and avoid hijackings:
Plan ahead: Now that you know the hotspots, you can plan your route so that you can avoid them, if possible. Be alert: Be aware of your surroundings so that you will be able to notice anything suspicious.
Smart stopper: When you are approaching a red light, try and time your stopping so that you reach the intersection as soon as the light turns green (especially when it is late at night). Space saves: Be sure that you leave enough space between you and any car in front of you. This assures that you have enough wiggling room and that you aren’t boxed in, in case things go pear-shaped.
Check your tail: Be aware of the cars behind you. Should you feel like you are being followed, make a few false turns. If the car is still behind you, keep driving until you reach your nearest police station or, otherwise, populated area.
Google Maps has also added a handy layer to help you analyse an up-to-the-minute report on the highest risk areas in your vicinity.
To be safe, be aware, be alert and avoid becoming just another crime statistic.
Safety first!
