Since the beginning of the year, KwaThema Township has been experiencing a wave of car hijackings. Ekurhuleni News spoke to the KwaThema SAPS’ spokesperson Constable Nkululeko Magudulela about the increasing number of car hijackings that are occurring in that area.
“Ekurhuleni has been hit by a wave of vehicle hijackings since the start of the year. KwaThema alone has seen 40+ cases being reported. Among the large number of vehicles that were hijacked most victims were attacked between 20:00 and 00:00, and mostly on weekends. Most victims were either coming home from work, a party, a tavern, a bar or sitting outside their yards in their vehicles. The targeted vehicles vary and they are no specific hotspots that have been identified as the attacks are spreading throughout KwaThema. The vehicles are mostly new model vehicles ranging from hatchbacks (Volkswagens, Audi’s) to sedans (Mercedes, BMW, Audi) and bakkies (Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu KB and NP200) they are all resold in the black market. In 99% of the cases that are reported in KwaThema SAPS, the hijackers were apparently armed and only 1% of the attacks result in fatal shootings. This means if a potential victim is better prepared, he/she stands a good chance of surviving the attack with minor physical injuries.”
In a recent incident that happened in KwaThema, Lucas Gumede went to Mpumi’s place in Mdakane Street in the Phomolo section on the 22nd of October (on Friday night). Gumede disclosed that he didn’t stay for more than 30 minutes in Mpumi’s place but when he got out his car was stolen. Gumede also told Ekurhuleni News that people had tried to steal his car before.
Gumede in sadness described how his car looks like, “It is a Mazda 323 with a Lutheran church sticker at the back and it is grey, its registration number is FR 93 WN GP.it has a dent on the driver door as they had tried to steal it before .“If anyone sees or has info concerning this car he/she can call KwaThema SAPS on 10111 or 083 420 5591.
By Vuyokazi Bam
