Drivers in South Africa are being cautioned about the increase in criminal activity at gas stations nationwide.
Gas stations are seen by criminals as the perfect places to carry out theft and hijacking crimes. Drivers in South Africa are being cautioned by police and security professionals to remain vigilant when filling up.
Increase in Hijackings
The number of hijackings in South Africa has increased annually. According to Business Tech, some provinces had a greater rise in hijackings than others. The Western Cape, North West, and Gauteng are the provinces where hijackings have increased the most.
Due to their great demand on the continent’s black market, Fords, Nissans, Toyotas, and Volkswagens are among the most sought-after automobiles. In South Africa, the primary forces behind hijackings are supply and demand.
Experts are cautioning drivers that gas stations are prime locations for hijackers to attack. The number of cases that have been reported has noticeably increased, and the gas stations themselves are also at risk.
New Accidents
Luke Fleurs, a soccer player for the Kaizer Chiefs, was shot and killed earlier this month during a hijacking at a Honeydew gas station. Eyewitness News reports that as Fleurs was waiting to be attended to, he was approached by unidentified gunmen who gave him the order to exit the car.
Two occurrences occurred at Mamelodi East and Mamelodi West gas stations on the same day one week ago.
Suspects entered and set up explosives at two nearby gas stations in Mamelodi East, causing damage to the premises and the drop-safe. An event during which a 30-year-old guy was critically injured. According to Pretoria Rekord, the suspects took off from the scene with an unknown quantity of cash.
One of the five armed men who came at the gas station in the Mamelodi West incident went inside and told the cashier to walk outside. After stealing a Toyota Quantum from a customer, the suspects drove off the scene.
Warning for Motorists
Numerous gas stations are poorly policed and have inadequate security, which makes them prime targets for criminal activity. In addition to hijackings, cash, ATMs, and patrons’ cell phones are attractive targets for thieves at gas stations.
Police and security professionals are cautioning drivers in South Africa to remain vigilant when filling up, pay attention to their surroundings and any suspicious people nearby, and always keep their doors closed. Many folks leave their car unlocked at the gas pumps and stop by the gas station.
All over the nation, traffic lights continue to be hotspots for hijacking, so drivers should exercise comparable vigilance when stopping at a red light.
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