While we are fortunate not to experience the same level of violent crimes in the Mossel bay, Wildernis, George and Oudtshoorn as in many other parts of the country, we are not totally immune to high-jacking and house robberies.

South Africa had 4 794 hijackings reported between October and December 2020, most of these crimes happening between 17:00 and 20:00 when unsuspecting victims are on their way home from work.

Although this may appear to be common knowledge, hijackings happen when the vehicle is stationery, very few hijackers force vehicles off the road. This is more common in Cash In Transit robberies and robberies of vehicle transporting cigarettes.

Looking at the above fact, here are some tips to minimize your risk of becoming a victim of a hijacking:

Try to “time” the traffic light and avoid coming to a dead stop.

Keep enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you, so you can get out and moving if you see danger approaching.  A good rule of thumb is to be able to see where the rear tires of vehicle in front of you meet the tar.

Stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings as you approach your gate/garage or any place where you know you will come to a complete stop.

Plan your routes carefully, to stay away from crime hotspots, and high crime areas. Choose main roads that are well lit

When possible, do not drive alone, and make sure there is some-one who knows where you are going and around what time you should arrive and check in.

Ensure that your doors and windows are locked as soon as you or you and all your passengers are in the vehicle.

Know the best routes to the nearest Police station in your area, and when traveling away from your local area, know where your nearest SAPS are.

Do not program your home address on your GPS, rather set your home to your local police station, to avoid criminals your address in the case that your GPS is stolen or lost.