The latest statistics released by the South African Police Service revealed that during April to December last year a total of 12 743 vehicles were hijacked. That is 14,9% more than the 2015/16 financial year.

Wheels24 reported earlier this year that more than 1 400 vehicles are hijacked each month in South Africa. Ryno Schutte, Managing Director of Pro-Active SA, a company which helps notify and distribute information in stolen or hijacked vehicles to security companies in South Africa, said: “To understand the psyche of a criminal we need to look at the human aspect thereof. As we all have a career that we wish to excel in and want to be at the top of our class in everything we do, the same can be said about criminals. They will constantly adapt their modus operandi (Standard Operating Procedure) and find ways and means to get out on top”.

Schuttte said South Africans tend to follow the same routine everyday and 76,5% of hijackings could have been avoided.

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“We do everything a certain way. We drive the same route daily, we get home at the same time, we leave home at the same time. Criminals know this and use this known fact that we as South Africans have become complacent.”

He adds: “Criminals do shopping before hand and theft of motor vehicles is not as random as they seem. There is an element of organised skill that goes into stealing a vehicle or even hijacking a vehicle. Criminals know what they want and need to supply the ‘boss’ with a certain make or model in a specific timeline.

“We can all agree that your vehicle is not worth your life, if it’s your vehicle being hijacked, remain calm at all times. Adhere to the requests made by the people while trying to notice as much information as possible about the perpetrators.

“They are just as nervous as you are, don’t take the risk of trying to fight the criminals off at any stage of the incident.”

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Schutte claims there’s been a huge increase in hijackings the past few years of around 14% – 15% year on year which equates to 47 hijackings a day countrywide.

Technology is advancing at a rapid rate when it comes to vehicle security which is a contributing factor to hijackings.

“No longer can a vehicle just be ‘hot-wired’ but the key is required for the vehicle to operate. Gone are the days when a suspect looks a certain way.

“Criminals are evolving daily, driving high performance vehicles, neatly dressed and do not look suspicious, preying on unexpected drivers. If you feel uncomfortable at any stage while driving anywhere, rather than taking a risk by driving directly to your destination, contact your local security company to ‘meet and greet’ you at your home or drive to the closest police station.

“Be prepared at all times, be aware of your surroundings constantly, take note of new trends used by criminals and ensure that you adapt your driving patterns accordingly. Get off your mobile phone and focus on your driving as prevention is better than a cure.”

Golden rules to follow if confronted by a hijacker:

• Remain calm and do not argue, do not make sudden gestures.

• Avoid eye contact but try to remember what the hijacker looked like by identifying and remembering special features.

• Comply with the hijacker’s directions, within reason.

• Try and get away from the area as quickly as possible.

• Don’t be a hero – your life is worth more than your car.

According to Const Irene Masingi, Spokesperson SAPS Mokopane, they are not allowed to make hijacking statistics public. “The following areas are hijacking hotspots in Mokopane, N1 Highway, R101, R518, Mokopane CBD Cnr Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki, Cnr Nelson Mandela and Dudu Madisha, Cnr Thabo Mbeki and Kruger, Percy Fyfe Road and Akasia.

According to Masingi, methods used in hijackings are: Pointing of firearm, threatenimg with a knife or object and vehicle taken by force.

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