NC Hawks warn of increase in hijackings by ‘hitch-hikers’

THE PROVINCIAL head of the Hawks in the Northern Cape, Major-General Steven Mabuela, has warned motorists of an increase in hijackings committed by criminals posing as hitch-hikers in the John Taolo Gaetsewe and Frances Baard districts.

The criminals are reported to hitch-hike and when they are given a lift they pull a firearm on the driver.

Hawks provincial spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Tebogo Thebe warned that the vehicle owners are, in some instances, taken to ATMs where they are forced to withdraw money or forced to transfer money from their cellphone app.

Thebe added that in “worst-case scenarios”, vehicles are also stolen.

The warning comes after a carjacking case was recently registered with the Hartswater SAPS.

A similar case was also registered by the Kuruman SAPS recently.

Thebe noted that these cases could be the work of a syndicate operating in the two districts in the Northern Cape.

Community members have also been cautioned against hitch-hiking as there have been cases where criminals have targeted hitch-hikers.

“The cases vary. In some instances it is criminals pretending to be hitch-hikers, while in other incidents its hitch-hikers being robbed by criminals pretending to offer them a lift …

“Crime generally tends to increase during the festive season and members of the community are therefore encouraged to be vigilant around this time of year and to hitch-hike in groups where possible.

“Drivers who can afford it are also encouraged to avoid offering hitch-hikers a lift to minimise the chance of becoming a victim.

“The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation cares about your safety and by adhering to the above safety hints, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to a robbery with a firearm and/or carjacking,” concluded Thebe.