Video | Man hijacked during load shedding as he closes gate

Photo: Screenshot of video/Twitter

Video | Man hijacked during load shedding as he closes the gate

Watch as a man gets hijacked by three armed men while trying to close the gate during load shedding in Kempton Park.

Video | Man hijacked during load shedding as he closes gate

Photo: Screenshot of video/Twitter

A video of a man getting hijacked while trying to close a gate in his driveway during load shedding has been doing the rounds on social media.

IN THE VIDEO THE MAN IS HIJACKED AT HIS GATE

In the video featured below, we can see a man fiddling with what looks like a chain on his gate. It seems like he is busy closing the gate when three armed men run up to him. The one-armed perp is seen getting into the parked vehicle while another is busy throwing the victim on the ground. The victim is robbed and kicked before the armed men take off in his Mercedes Benz.  

According to the video the hijacking took place on 14 October 2021.

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AS IF LOAD SHEDDING ISN’T ENOUGH TO DEAL WITH

According to Arrive Alive (AA), the increasing retrenchment and the high unemployment figures in SA are contributing to the dramatic increases in hijackings. 

“This is easy earned money, and the already well-established syndicates will buy these vehicles from the hijacker. Vehicle hijacking is an organised business, run according to business principles and based on thorough planning.

“Specific vehicles with specific characteristics are ordered beforehand and efforts have to be made to meet the requirements of such orders. These vehicles will then be resold to the already predetermined buyer.

The hijacked vehicles that are not sold to buyers in South Africa, will be smuggled out of the country. These vehicles will be sold in our neighbouring countries or trade, exchanged for drugs,” the AA said. 

It furthermore said most hijackings take place in the driveways of residential areas. These hijackers prefer areas with accessible escape routes.

HOW TO AVOID A HIJACKING SITUATION NEAR YOUR DRIVEWAY: 

Approaching and entering your driveway:

  • Have a 2km from your house strategy. Be extra alert. Switch off the car radio and concentrate on your surroundings. If you have noticed any vehicle behind you, use the techniques you have learned during the hijack prevention & survival course to determine whether you are being followed.
  • Remember to stop your vehicle just on the inside of the gate and select reverse whilst waiting for the gate to close. This creates confusion and may buy you a few seconds for the gate to close completely behind you.
  • Check your driveway and street before you leave or enter your premises.
  • Make sure your driveway is well lit and clear from shrubbery where perpetrators can hide.
  • Be aware of unknown pedestrians close to your residential address – do not turn into your driveway – pass and go back later.
  • Liaise with your neighbours – know them.
  • Be aware of vehicles parked close to your address with occupants inside. It might be perpetrators observing the area.
  • Be alert if your animals do not greet you at the gate as usual. It might be that the perpetrators overpowered them.
  • Phone your home and ask for someone to make sure your driveway is safe and to open and close the gate for you.
  • When returning home after dark, ensure that an outside light is on, or have someone meet you at the gate. Check with your armed response company if they are rendering rendezvous services.
  • If at any time you have to open the gate yourself, make sure nobody is suspicious around and the road is clear. Stop right in front of your gate. Do not switch off the vehicle, leave the key in the ignition, get out and close the door (not creating temptation). Then open the gate. Drive in and close the gate immediately behind you.

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