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Cape Town - Another Gauteng family fell victim to hijackers in their driveway.
Posted by the Crime Intelligence & Community Awareness (CICA) YouTube page, the video shows a family being ambushed by criminals, stealing their car. The sequence of events unfolds in less than one minute.
Swift action
As the family enters their driveway in their Honda CR-V, a Mercedes-Benz A-Class pulls up behind them. The Merc barely got to a complete halt when two men jump out of it, running up to the family.
One of the passengers was unlocking the gate at the time of the when the car pulled up behind them. While the criminals force the other occupants from their car, another passenger can be seen rushing towards the house.
The entire ordeal is over in less than a minute. We've added reader comments and advice on how to protect yourself against hijackers after the clip below:
Readers respond:
Shamudy Hlongo: "Please check who is following you when you are about to enter your home."
Solani Mashaba: "I was hijacked 13 May 2016, at around 9 pm in Turffontein (Johannesburg South)and those criminals drove with me for almost eight hours. I stopped on the roadside briefly to look for a number to a shop I wanted to drive to. That’s how I fell prey to those criminals. I could not see being followed as they had the headlights off and the surrounding area had poor light intensity.
"All the while ,they were withdrawing cash from my accounts and swiping credit cards at night clubs.
These guys are extremely cruel and at some point, I was hit on the head with a gun barrel.
""They used my car for house robberies until their luck ran out, got arrested and now out on bail, you know how lenient our justice system is, on criminals, exacerbated by incompetent and corrupt police officials accepting bribes, no wonder these incidents are on such upward trajectory and have become a daily occurrence.
"I’m really proud of that guy who shot back at them, because motorists, we’re on our own.
"Note: For whatever reason (unless a car breakdown), never stop on the side of the road, better a fuel station."
14 Tips to help avoid a hijacking:
1 When approaching your vehicle, keep your key ready but not visible. Unlock your car when you're close by.
2 Check the rear seat before getting into your car.
3 A well-maintained car is less likely to break down and leave you vulnerable.
4 Plan your route and let someone know what your route is and when to expect you at your destination.
5 Always check the rear-view mirror to see if you are being followed.
6 Avoid driving with your windows open and keep the doors locked. Put all valuables out of sight.
7 Avoid distractions while driving such as using a cellphone.
READ: Hijacking in SA - Here's how you can protect yourself
8 If you suspect you are being followed, drive to your nearest police station or a busy public area.
9 When approaching a red traffic light, slow down so that you only reach it when it turns green.
10 Make sure your driveway is well lit and clear of shrubbery.
11 If possible, park in a central, well-lit place, preferably with guards on duty.
12 When stopping behind another vehicle, leave half a vehicle length in front so you can make an emergency escape if necessary.
13 Change your routes and your schedule if possible on a regular basis.
14 Make arriving at your destination safer by calling ahead and asking someone to open and close your gate for you.
Click on the gifs below for more hijacking stories.
1. Gauteng family hijacked at gunpoint in driveway: Here's how you can protect your loved ones
2. WATCH: Female GTI driver hijacked in Pinetown
3. WATCH: Joburg family returns from OR Tambo, gets robbed in driveway
