15 August 2025
Klerksdorp Record, Klerksdorp - The police cautioned motorists to be vigilant after a spate of hijackings in the province.
Numerous cases of car and truck hijackings were recently reported and vehicles such as Toyota and Volkswagen targeted. Capt Mpho Manyoba, spokesperson, said these incidents take place mostly over weekends.
In a case registered in Brits on June 12, a truck driver was hired to collect a machine at Pendoring Road. Upon arrival at the address, he was attacked by two armed men who forced him to drive away from the scene. “According to information, the suspects tied the victim up then left him in the bush and drove away with the truck.’’
In another incident reported on August 1, at about 19:15, a 54-year-old man was allegedly confronted by three unknown men while exiting his white Mahindra bakkie in Hebron near Ga-Rankuwa.
The suspects were armed and instructed him to get out of his vehicle. “One of the suspects got inside the victim’s vehicle and drove off, whilst the other followed them in an unidentified vehicle.”
Capt Manyoba added that most of the incidents occur at various spots on the N4 road during the night between Fridays and Saturdays. The hotspots include Brits/Johannesburg Road towards Platinum Island; Randburg off-ramp; Zandfontein off-ramp; Majakaneng off-ramp and Rustenburg to Marikana before the off-ramp.
Motorists are urged to always be vigilant and apply the following safety tips:
* 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. In
most of the reported cases, victims were accosted by criminals while entering their places of residence, just before or after opening the gate.
vWhen 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. Know where you are going beforehand, to avoid getting lost in unknown areas.
* Report suspicious vehicles and persons to the police.
* Avoid carrying large amounts of cash with you, whilst travelling as this makes you a target for criminals.
* Do not stop next to the road or give any person a lift. If you must use a bathroom, stop at a garage / shop, where there are other people around.
