Be careful: Petrol stations are crime hotspots in South Africa

Criminals view petrol stations as ideal locations to commit acts such as hijacking and theft. Police and security experts are warning South African motorists to stay alert while filling up.

INCREASE IN HIJACKINGS

South Africa has seen a year-on-year increase in hijackings. Some provinces experienced a bigger increase in hijackings than others, according to Business Tech. The provinces with the biggest increases in hijackings are Gauteng, the Western Cape, and North West.

Some of the most targeted vehicles include Fords, Nissans, Toyotas, and VWs as they are in high demand on the black market across the continent. Demand and supply are the main drivers behind hijackings in SA.

Experts are warning motorists that petrol stations are easy targets for hijackers. There has been a noticeable increase in the number of reported incidents, while the petrol stations themselves are also vulnerable.

RECENT INCIDENTS

The Kaizer Chiefs soccer player Luke Fleurs was shot dead during a hijacking incident at a petrol station in Honeydew earlier this month. Fleurs was waiting to be attended to when he was approached by unknown gunmen, who instructed him to get out of the vehicle, according to Eyewitness News.

A week ago, there were two incidents on the same day at petrol stations in Mamelodi East and Mamelodi West.

At two adjacent petrol stations in Mamelodi East, suspects entered and set up explosives, damaging the drop-safe and the property. A 30-year-old man was fatally wounded during the incident. The suspects fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash, as reported by Pretoria Rekord.

In the incident in Mamelodi West, five armed men arrived at a petrol station and one of them entered, instructing the cashier to go outside. The suspects fled the scene in a Toyota Quantum, which they had hijacked from a customer.

WARNING TO MOTORISTS

Many petrol stations lack proper security and have poor policing, making them ideal locations for criminals to commit crimes. Besides hijackings, other appealing targets for criminals at petrol stations include cash, ATMs, and customers’ cell phones.

Security experts and police are warning South African motorists to stay alert while filling up, be aware of their surroundings and any suspicious individuals in the area, and keep their doors locked at all times. Many people pop into the petrol station shop leaving their vehicle unlocked at the petrol pumps.

Traffic lights across the country remain hijacking hotspots, and motorists should take similar precautions when stopped at a red light.