'More cars, more hijacking'
2004-11-15 21:10
Cape Town - One of the reasons for an increase in the number of vehicles being hijacked in and around Cape Town is people are buying more cars, and so the hijackers have more to choose from, said Safety and Security Minister Charkes Nqakula.
He said: "A boost to the economy resulted in people buying more vehicles, increasing the availability of such vehicles to offenders."
"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% more than 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 motorists.
Nqakula said: "Vehicle owners are not vigilant at, for example, traffic intersections, driveways and parking areas.
"They are easily distracted and become prime targets."
- SAPA