Police management in the Bojanala Platinum District (Brits and Rustenburg), would like to warn motorists about escalating hijackings occurring in the District, especially delivery vehicles and trucks.
This comes after several cases were reported recently.
On Tuesday, 13 June 2023 at midday, a 39-year-old man driving a white Scania Truck, loaded with cooking oil, stopped next to the N4 road, close to the Swartruggens Toll Gate to relief himself. He was allegedly confronted by three suspects, driving a silver Toyota Yaris.
They blindfolded and forced him into their vehicle.
All his possessions including personal documents and his cellphone were taken. He was ultimately released at an unknown location and managed to contact the police in Swartruggens two days later.
In a second unrelated incident reported on Wednesday, 14 June 2023 at about 12:00, a 29-year-old driver was driving on the R511 road, near the N4 off-ramp in Brits in his white Toyota Hilux, on his way to deliver medication.
Two vehicles allegedly forced him to stop after being boxed in from the front by a Ford Figo vehicle and from the back by a Nissan Almera. After pulling off the road, the suspects pointed him with a firearm and forced him into the Almera vehicle, whilst his vehicle was taken.
The victim was shortly after the incident dropped off at an unknown location in Muldersdrift, where a passer-by assisted him to alert the police.
In another unrelated incident reported in Rustenburg on Thursday, 15 June 2023 at about 05:30, a 45-year-old victim was driving in his Toyota Fortuner on his way to work. He was allegedly stopped and boxed in by two vehicles (Ford Ranger and BMW) at a stop street on the corner of Boom and Zendeling Street.
Four armed suspects ordered him out of his vehicle and they drove off with his vehicle, leaving the victim next to the road.
In the last incident reported on Thursday, 15 June 2023 at about 20:15 a 34-year-old victim was driving on the R566 road at Lokgalong in Marikana in a Toyota Quantum.
He just dropped off his colleague when a black Audi allegedly stopped next to him and one of the occupants pointed him with a firearm. Three suspects entered the Quantum and they drove off with the victim. The victim managed to open the door of the Quantum and jumped out, whilst the suspects continued to drive off.
Motorists, especially drivers of delivery vehicles are urged to be vigilant at all times.
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.
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. Plan your route beforehand, to avoid getting lost in unknown areas. Be mindful of crime hotspot areas and be on the lookout for suspicious vehicles/persons.
Report suspicious vehicles and persons to the police.
Do not stop next to the road or offer any person a lift. If you have to use a bathroom, stop at a garage/shop, where there are other people around.
