Hijackers in South Africa are now targeting hungry drivers

With hijackings being on the rise in South Africa, unsuspecting drivers are now even being targeted while they’re waiting for their food at drive-thru windows, Duma Ngcobo, COO of vehicle tracking company Tracker, told eNCA.

While the criminals’ modus operandi for taking your vehicle hasn’t changed much over the years, they are increasingly widening their areas of focus in order to catch motorists off guard when they least expect it.

Ngcobo highlighted the three most prevalent hijacking techniques in the country, which are:

• Following a victim home and blocking their car in the driveway by stopping behind it
• Pointing at a victim’s car to show that something is broken and attacking them when they stop on the side of the road
• Impersonating a police officer and pulling over a victim only to hijack them once they come to a stop

This last method is especially difficult to avoid as it is not always possible to spot a criminal posing as a police officer, while it also gives them more possibilities for cornering motorists away from their homes or the roads, like, for example, at a drive-thru.

To better avoid falling victim to these nefarious actors, it is recommended to always stay vigilant wherever you are and to practice defensive driving techniques.

Don’t be a hero

Should the worst happen and you are faced with a hijacker at your window, Ngcobo said you should avoid being a hero and try to make an escape. A car is replaceable, a life is not.

Most hijackers are “professionals” and are only after financial gain. They will ask you for your banking details, wallet, phone, and whatever valuables you may have on you or in the vehicle.

They are also jumpy and prone to make brash decisions if need be, with victims occasionally getting injured or even maimed as a result of a violent hijacker.

Ngcobo said you should therefore remain as calm as you reasonably can and cooperate as much as you can if you’re caught in this horrific situation.

“In other words, we don’t encourage heroism, and to try and make an escape for it, or to try and scream. Those things can end up endangering your life,” said Ngcobo.