MOTORING NEWS - Almost a year after the City of Cape Town warned motorists about an escalating crime trend targeting vehicles, private staff transport operators, scholar transport drivers and ordinary motorists remain vulnerable to hijacking and extortion.

While the crime has been particularly prevalent in Cape Town, reports of similar incidents elsewhere in the country – including concerns raised by e-hailing drivers – highlight the importance of motorists understanding the risk and knowing how to respond.

According to Eugene Herbert, CEO of MasterDrive, motorists should be particularly cautious when individuals who are not law enforcement officials attempt to take control of their vehicles.

“When non-law enforcement individuals take your vehicle without your consent it is a hijacking. In this instance it is both a carjacking and extortion,” says Herbert.

When an “impoundment” becomes a crime

In reported cases, vehicles are taken to taxi-rank offices or other locations, where owners are allegedly forced to negotiate and pay money before their vehicles are released.

These incidents can place particularly vulnerable people at risk, including workers travelling during early-morning or late-night shifts and children using scholar transport.

Herbert warns motorists against attempting to retrieve their vehicles without assistance from law enforcement.

“In a recent incident, police officers found not only the vehicle and significant cash but also an illegal firearm,” he says.

His advice is to report incidents immediately rather than attempting to negotiate directly with the people holding the vehicle.

In Cape Town, motorists can contact the city's call centre for assistance in sourcing law enforcement to respond to incidents. In Gauteng, Herbert says the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department's Internal Affairs unit conducts operations targeting people allegedly extorting drivers under the guise of impoundments or traffic fines.

Reporting is essential

One of the challenges in tackling this type of crime is that some victims do not open criminal cases after their vehicles have been recovered.

Herbert says this can make it more difficult for authorities to build cases against organised groups.

“Many victims walk away after their vehicles are recovered, declining to open criminal cases. This reluctance allows the extortion networks to continue operating with impunity,” he says.

“Reporting cases empowers law enforcement to deal with this crime appropriately. Without formal complaints and prosecutions, these criminal networks will continue to thrive.”

Motorists who experience an incident should therefore report it to the South African Police Service and provide as much information as possible about what happened.

How motorists can reduce their risk

While law enforcement agencies work to address these networks, motorists can take practical precautions:

• Stay aware of your surroundings, particularly when travelling through unfamiliar or high-risk areas.
• Take extra care during early-morning and late-night journeys.
• Be alert to vehicles that appear to be following you or groups of people who appear to be monitoring traffic.
• Vary your routes and travel times where practical.
• Keep vehicle doors locked and windows closed, particularly at traffic lights and in slow-moving traffic.

If a hijacking happens

If a hijacking is unavoidable, personal safety should take priority over the vehicle or any possessions inside it.

• Do not resist or argue with the perpetrators. A vehicle or personal possession is never worth risking your life.
• Remain as calm as possible and follow instructions.
• Avoid sudden movements that could be interpreted as threatening.
• Hand over valuables if demanded.
• Do not attempt to retrieve the vehicle yourself after the incident.
• Move to a safe location as soon as it is safe to do so.
• Report the incident to the SAPS as soon as possible.

In Cape Town, motorists requiring assistance can contact the City of Cape Town on 021 480 7700. The national SAPS emergency number is 10111.

For motorists and passengers, the key message is simple: if someone attempts to take your vehicle without lawful authority, do not put yourself at greater risk by confronting them. Get to safety, involve law enforcement and report the incident.

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