While vehicle hijackings have decreased in Limpopo, some communities along the Beitbridge border say their cars are being stolen and hijacked at an alarming rate. According to the latest police statistics, hijackings in the province have declined by 5.1%. Most of the stolen vehicles are smuggled into Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
51-year-old Grace Shivambu from Bale village, near Musina, is a successful cattle and pepper farmer. Shivambu was attacked by hijackers who fled with her brand-new pick-up vehicle she used to ferry products to markets. She had stopped at a hiking spot on the famous R524 road at Niani village, to pick up people aimed to do a part-time job at her farm last week.
However, things took an ugly turn when three armed men unleashed pepper spray on her and pinned her down. Shivambu says the hijackers assaulted her mercilessly before making off with her bakkie and cash.
“ I gave them a ride to the farm because I needed their labour but as soon as they stepped into the car, they pepper-sprayed my eyes, harassed and beat me up with sticks and pangas. They left me on the ground and drove away with my vehicle.”
Traumatised Shivambu further says police and a tracker company’s extensive search for the vehicle only led them to the banks of the Limpopo River.
“I walked to the police station to report the matter. The police together with my tracker company tried to trace the vehicle. They were led to the banks of Limpopo River but lost signal there as the car was already smuggled across. Other concerned residents have made an impassioned plea to the police to step up the fight against hijackings.
“We don’t know what to do because they keep on stealing our vehicles and we are afraid. We thought the government would help us. Our cars are taken to Zimbabwe. We don’t know what to do because the soldiers and police are there. This thing is very concerning. I have been a victim and now I am so scared to buy a car even though I can afford it. Our lives are in danger here.”
Limpopo Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe says the rates of stolen vehicles smuggled into neighbouring countries are worrying. Hadebe adds that their officials intercept hijackers every day.
“At the border, we have an army that is there. We also have our rural safety communities with whom we work hand in hand. We have also deployed a team that we call an intervention team. It is focusing on that and also on trafficking illicit goods. Yes, it is a problem because most of the vehicles that we recover 90% of them are hijacked or stolen in Gauteng. Hadebe has also urged motorists to desist from picking up hitchhikers.
Source: eNCA
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