The Hawks in the Northern Cape are concerned about a carjacking syndicate that might be operating in the province after two cases of carjacking were registered at the Hartswater police station, and another at Kuruman SAPS, within a month.

“The incidents vary – some criminals pretended to be hitchhikers,” said Northern Cape Hawks spokesperson Tebogo Thebe, “while in other incidents it was the hitchhikers who were being robbed by the criminals, pretending to offer a lift with the sole intention of committing a crime by robbing passengers of their belongings.”

‘A carjacking syndicate  might be ongoing in the province’

A warning was sent out by Northern Cape Hawks head Steven Mabuela concerning the rise in carjacking incidents caused by providing lifts to hitchhikers. It’s suspected a syndicate is operating in the two districts.

After hitchhiking, criminals point firearms at vehicle owners; in some cases, these individuals are brought to automated teller machines (ATMs) and forced to withdraw cash or transfer money via a mobile app; in the worst-case scenario, vehicles are also taken, said Mabuela.

 “Drivers who can afford it are encouraged to avoid offering hitchhikers a lift to minimise chances of becoming victims,” said Thebe.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame cg/mc