What might be seen as an easy ride, money saving measures or a way of making quick cash can be as well turn to be a nightmare for both the hitchhikers and motorists.
Police in Mpumalanga send a strong warning to hitchhikers and motorists to avoid such practices as it might have serious consequences. Hitchhiking is not unlawful, but criminals can use any opportunity that comes their way to fulfill their greed.
Dangers that hitchhikers might come across can include being run over by vehicles maybe due to the driver’s negligence or poor visibility on their clothing in poorly lit areas. It also has high possibilities of other crimes like robberies, rapes, human trafficking or even murders.
People who knock off late from duty should rather resort to lift clubs or staff transport. Should it happen that a person has no other option, such a person must be in a position to pay as motorists might offer lifts in exchange of some ungodly favours.
There are also high possibilities of accidents and unruly behaviours when hitchhikers come across a motorist or driver who gets behind the wheel being intoxicated.
Motorists should also value their hard earned vehicles because not everyone who looks needy is really needy, some hitchhikers are looking for soft targets on the roads and police have on many occasions reported hijackings, of which some might emanate from giving people rides.
It is against this backdrop that the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela appeals to community members to consider using safer modes of transport such as arranged staff transport and lift clubs. The General added that some are lured into a snare from what might look like an easy ride or quick extra cash however taking such decision might be detrimental.
