Motorists travelling along the N14, R503, R53 and R52 roads between Ventersdorp and Coligny, as well as between Coligny and Lichtenburg and between Ventersdorp and Koster are urged to exercise caution when stopping alongside the road or when ordered to stop by other motorists as that could be hijacking suspects.
This is after a few incidents in which vehicles were recently hijacked by unknown suspects were reported to the police. In August, a 34 year-old victim was stopped by a group of suspects wearing traffic uniform close to Lichtenburg and demanded his licence. He was allegedly pointed with a firearm. The suspects then put him in the back of his bakkie and drove with him. He was left next to the road between Ventersdorp and Krugersdorp.
In another unrelated incident in August, a 28 year old victim was travelling between Ventersdorp and Coligny on the N14 when he stopped and offered a lift to a hitchhiker. After driving for few minutes, the driver stopped and offered a lift to two more persons. The journey continued to Coligny where the driver stopped so that one of the persons can alight. However, the driver was assaulted with a wheel spanner and the suspects sped off with his Polo Vivo, leaving him next to the road.
Motorists are requested to exercise caution when stopped by unknown persons and to report such incidents to the nearest police station.
If stopped by Police of Traffic officials and you feel unsafe / threatened, put on your hazard lights and slowly drive to the nearest police station. Never offer a lift to a hitchhiker and do not stop next to the road, except for an emergency. People stopping to relieve themselves have also fallen victim of this crime.
As part of curbing such incidents, motorists are urged to take heed and apply the following safety tips:
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