Hijacking of cars is real and it can happen to any motorist and hence today we shall navigate around this deadly problem and share ideas on how to survive or avoid it altogether.
First of all, l must elaborate that hijacking is theft of a motor vehicle from its driver by force or intimidation.
This is one danger that any motorist is prone to be subjected to at one point and it is wise for drivers to equip yourselves with skills to foil it should it happen.
Targeted vehicles
Toyota Fortuner (GD6 and D4D)
Toyota Hilux (GD6 and D4D)
Toyota Landcruiser 79 series V8
Toyota Hiace Van.
- How to avoid and survive hijacking
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Toyota RAV 4.
VW Polo (especially hatchbacks)
Nissan NP200.
Ford Ranger (both double and single cabs)
These car models, luxury vehicles and 4x4s are the main targets for hijackings, including any vehicles carrying cash-in-transit, gold or diamonds.
If you own and drive any of these highly targeted cars you seriously need to be more vigilant about this issue.
Hijackers get instructions to provide such vehicles by criminals, who offer them instant cash upon delivery.
These vehicles are immediately stripped for spares or given new identities and sold to waiting clients locally or in neighbouring countries like Mozambique and Uganda, among others.
Steps to reduce the risk of hijacking;
nAlways be alert of your surroundings by taking note of suspicious vehicles or individuals when travelling to and from residential areas.
nMake valuables invisible. Don’t give thieves more motivation to break into your car. If you have to leave personal property in your car, keep it in the trunk. Even in areas you think are safe, don’t leave a purse or other valuables on the car seat unattended.
nPark in secure, highly trafficked and well-lit areas. In public parking garages or areas, stay as close as possible to guard booths or store entrances. Best case, keep your car in a garage and always lock the door to your home garage.
nImprove your security around your home by ensuring that entrances are well lit at all times and don’t provide any cover for hijackers.
nInstall an electric gate with an intercom buzzer that is easily reached from the car ensures that you and your guests will be able to enter and exit the property quickly without leaving your vehicles.
nIf you suspect of being followed don’t go straight into the driveway, rather go around the block once and if vehicle continue following drive to the nearest police station.
nKeep your doors always locked, mostly at intersections and dangerous spots.
Don’t stop at an accident scene at night as that maybe a trap by hijackers.
By using a little common sense and being aware of your situation and surroundings you will effectively reduce your chances of falling victim to hijacking or other violent crime simply by protecting yourself and become an effective player in the fight against crime.
While as Zimbabweans we culturally very hospitable as confirmed by many tourists, but it’s advisable, for that moment when driving, to be highly suspicions of anyone who may want to ask or come close to you especially at night.
And according to research findings hijackers usually target motorist during rainy weather which makes helicopter tracking difficult.
It is a fact that all motorists are prone to this danger even if you don’t drive any of the targeted cars.
In South Africa, Zimbabweans are being hijacked because of using vehicles with Zimbabwe number plates.
In South Africa a car is hijacked every 32 minutes.
The hijackers target foreign vehicle owners who are known for carrying around a lot of cash.
With Zimbabwe being the biggest trading partner with South Africa, contributing to about 1 500 000 tourist visiting there every year the issue of hijacking needs serious attention by motorists.
It is sad to understand that the hijacking business has been joined by our fellow countrymen in South Africa, who approach the motorists in local languages that naturally make the Zimbabwean drivers more welcoming thinking he/she has just met a brother or sister from home.
While in many cases driving a vehicle with local number plates to South Africa maybe justified owing to the kind of goods that one needs to buy, but I seriously recommend you to consider hiring a vehicle in South Africa or use transporters with domestic number plates.
Avoid carrying a lot of hard cash. But assuming you can’t avoid this payment option l further suggest you carry cash equivalent to what you are buying at one moment to avoid pulling R50 from a bunch of R10 000.
Usually hijackers follow you for a long time until they find the appropriate time to hit on you.
Trucks carrying loads are also a major target by Lebanese and Portuguese truck hijackers in South Africa.
These gangs are sophisticated criminal syndicates who are entrepreneurial and innovative in their tactics.
Once they hijack a truck carrying a load they will demand cash to be deposited into an account in order to release the driver and the load.
Drivers for trucks carrying loads must be trained to avoid hijacking and how to survive them should they be found in such a trap.
But as humans we are all prone to danger as merely walking is equally risky.
And should hijackers pounce on you unexpectedly, where you can’t escape it, consider the following tips to achieve a peaceful conclusion to the incident and save your life and others;
Remember you are not the only one that is scared and nervous as everyone involved is in the same emotional state, including the perpetrators.
*Stay calm, and encourage others around you to do the same.
*If shooting occurs, keep your head down or drop to the floor.
*Divulge only information that cannot be used against you.
*Do not antagonise your interrogator with obstinate behaviour.
*Concentrate on surviving: if you are to be used as a bargaining tool or to obtain ransom, you will be kept alive.
*If addressed by the hijackers, respond in a regulated tone of voice.
*If you are targeted by the hijackers, be responsive, but do not volunteer information that can be used against you.
The rate at which hijacking of cars and stealing of the cash and valuables that have been reported in Zimbabwe over the last two years is very worrying.
It is for this reason that every motorist has to be prepare for the worst.
But once it has unfortunately happened you will require some counselling after surviving a hijacking ordeal to refocus your mindset and move on with life.
Hijacking ordeals maybe highly traumatising and the sooner you get rid of that from your mind the better and is progressive.
*Stanley Makombe has 25 years’ experience in the motor industry, currently handling vehicle imports from Japan, Thailand, UK and South Africa into African countries. He is writing in his own capacity and can be contacted on +254 743 900 590, on X @Stan_Carsales, email: stanley@stanleymakombe.com, www.stanleymakombe.com