Test Driving Car Turns Into A Hijacking. The North West police officials have cautioned second-hand car dealerships on the N12 in Klerksdorp to be careful when potential customers come to them.
The North West police officials have cautioned second-hand car dealerships on the N12 in Klerksdorp to be careful when potential customers come to them. Colonel Adele Myburgh, the police spokesperson, says this comes after a hijacking that recently occurred. In one occurrence, the suspects acted as if they were buyers.
They asked to test drive a bakkie, while they were with a dealership salesperson. While they were test driving the vehicle, the suspects halted the car on the side of the road. They thus aimed a gun at the dealership salesperson, telling him to get out of the bakkie and then they drove off. The dealership does not have the suspects’ details. “Dealerships are requested to ensure they have a signed indemnity form completed by the prospective client, that includes a copy of their ID or motor vehicle licence or thumbprint, before granting a test drive,” says the police spokesperson. The police spokesperson also says they ask the members of the community to be careful when they reply to online advertisements, especially for cars and livestock. Colonel Adele Myburgh says, on the 14th of January a prospective customer in Jouberton saw an advert for a Toyota Avanza on Facebook. He contacted the person selling and had a meeting arranged.
They both agreed that he’ll test drive the car and pay cash. However, when the man met the seller, him and his friends were surrounded by 14 people with guns. Colonel Adele Myburgh says, “He returned later the same day, accompanied by three friends. When meeting the seller in Jouberton, the seller and his friends were surrounded by a group of about 14 people, armed with firearms and pangas. They were robbed of a substantial amount of cash and their personal items such as cellphones were stolen, before being allowed to leave the scene.” The police spokesperson says people need to be cautious when replying to online adverts, in order to avert being a victim. There were several tips but the most important ones are meet in a public area (where there’s a lot of people) and meet during daylight.
by Alexandra Ramaite
