NKANGALA – The latest statistics released by the Mpumalanga police suggest that Nkangala district has become the carjacking hotspot compared to the other two districts in the province.
The third quarter 2023/2024 crime statistics released by the department of community security and liaison in Mbombela on Tuesday, March 12, paint a gloomy picture about the safety of motor vehicles in the Nkangala district.
The number of hijacked cars rose from 130 between October 2022 to December 2022, to 173 in the same period of 2023, indicating a positive difference of 43.
Ehlanzeni occupies a second spot as its numbers went up by 8 from 131 from October 2022 to December 2022 compared with October 2023 to December 2023.
Gert Sibande showed a decrease in the number of reportedly hijacked cars in the third quarter of 2022 financial year to 2023. The stats show that hijacked cars went down from 43 to 37.
This indicates a negative difference of 6 which is a sigh of relief for vehicle owners in the district.
The Insurance Information Institute has published in its website the following tips to caution vehicle owners how to prevent hijacking:
Always have your mobile phone handy and charged.
Avoid being alone in your vehicle in certain areas, such as high crime neighborhoods, isolated roads and intersections and desolate areas of parking lots.
Be aware of your surroundings. Pay special attention to people who seem to be lurking or cars that suspiciously follow you into driveways. Call 911 and use your key fob or other car alarm if you feel a threat.
Be wary of how carjackers lure victims. These include bumping your car, pretending to be stranded motorists or flashing their lights as if there were something wrong with your car. In each of these scenarios, you might be tempted to pull over—only to have your car taken. Stay inside with the windows shut and the door locked and, if you feel a threat, drive to the nearest police or fire station.
Practice safe parking. Stick to well-lit areas. If you have any doubts about where you parked after the fact, find a security guard to accompany you to your vehicle.
Don’t sit in your car with the door unlocked or the windows rolled down.
Don’t stop at isolated ATMs, which might put you and your bank accounts as well as your car in danger.
