One of the reasons for an increase in the number of vehicles being hijacked in and around Cape Town is residents are buying more cars, and so the hijackers have more to choose from, according to Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula.
”A boost to the economy resulted in people buying more vehicles, thus increasing the availability of such vehicles to offenders,” he said in a written reply to a parliamentary question.
Hijackers from Gauteng had also moved their activities south, and Capetonians were unaware of the strategies they used ”and easily fall prey”.
”The various successes in curbing hijackings in Gauteng has forced hijackers to seek opportunities elsewhere.”
Nqakula said there were 1 114 hijackings in the greater Cape Town area last year, an increase of 9,1% over the year before.
Other factors contributing to the increase in hijackings included more vehicles entering Cape Town’s city centre, and a lack of awareness among Mother City motorists.
”Vehicle owners are not vigilant at, for example, traffic intersections, driveways and parking areas. They are then easily distracted and become prime targets,” Nqakula said. – Sapa