Spate of attacks on KZN motorists

File photo: Phill Magakoe.

File photo: Phill Magakoe.

Published Oct 20, 2014

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Pietermaritzburg - Criminals are looking out for easy prey as the festive season approaches, prompting warnings from both the police and the SA Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric) for people to be extra vigilant over the next few weeks.

In Pietermaritzburg, police said there had been a spate of attacks on motorists recently, and have urged road users to be cautious, especially when approaching traffic lights and to ensure that all their car windows are closed and doors locked at all times.

“More motorists are becoming victims of robbery in the CBD. Suspects approach the windows and demand money and valuable items, such as cellphones at gunpoint or knifepoint,” said police spokeswoman, Captain Zenzele Ndlovu.

Victims have been urged to report the incidents to the police.

“Even if nothing was taken, these criminals who terrorise our motorists must be arrested. If the crimes are reported, these criminals can be traced with the help of CCTV footage in the CBD,” Ndlovu said.

On Wednesday alone, there were three separate incidents in the CBD.

Simone Harris reported that she was at the intersection of Victoria and Chapel Streets when a vagrant tried to open her passenger door.

Fortunately her doors were locked and she managed to drive away unharmed.

Another motorist, who asked that his name not be published, was confronted by a man armed with a knife at the corner of Church Street and Commercial Road.

“My window was open and suddenly I felt this blade against my head. Luckily there was no car in front of me and I managed to drive off through the red robot,” he said.

Another woman, who declined being named, told the Daily News that she was at the robot at the intersection of Manning Road and East Street when a man wearing a purple sweater put his hands through her open window and started to “throttle” her. He then grabbed her cellphone and ran away. She said she was suffering from shock after the incident, but was not physically injured.

CAREFUL WHEN DRAWING MONEY

Sabric also warned that bank clients were at risk of being robbed as the festive season approaches.

Last month a man was robbed in the Pavilion parking lot as he was about to take cash, contained in a bag, for depositing. And last week a 54-year-old woman was robbed of more than R20 000 at Havenside shopping centre, shortly after withdrawing the cash at a bank in Montclair.

Armed with a pistol and a rifle, the brazen robbers got out of their car, grabbed the woman, took her bag and fled, said an eyewitness.

 

Sabric’s chief executive, Kalyani Pillay, urged people not to draw large sums of cash, as criminals would be on the lookout for easy prey, especially over the next few weeks.

“There are many alternative ways to move cash around without holding it in your hand,” Pillay said.

“Criminals will up their game for the festive season; we need to know what we are dealing with.”

“If you need a large amount of cash, do not tell the whole world, do not go alone to the bank, find someone you trust. Why do you have to draw cash in the first place? Contact your bank and find alternative ways – internet transfers are available,” said Pillay

She said there was an incorrect perception that robberies were planned and orchestrated with the aid of banking staff.

She said as Sabric, they continuously view footage at banks after similar crimes had taken place and realised that clients should be careful inside the banks.

This was because criminals also come in, posing as clients, and monitor activities before calling their accomplices to alert them of potential targets.

“People think it is the bank teller that gives the information, but people do not manage the risk the way they are supposed to. We analyse footage… the criminals will come in and look around in the bank, make calls, describe the person and then follow them,” Pillay said.

She said bank tellers were not allowed to use their cellphones at work, but it was hard to “police” clients about cellphone usage while they were in the bank.

Small businesses should contract with a cash management company to handle their money as it was not safe for them to transport cash to the banks themselves, she said.

SAFETY TIPS FOR MOTORISTS

- Have your key ready, but not visible when approaching your vehicle.

- Inspect the outside and inside of the vehicle before unlocking. Check underneath your vehicle for items placed under the wheels. Also make sure nobody is hiding on the passenger side before you enter.

- When stopping behind another vehicle, leave half a vehicle length in front of your vehicle to make an escape if necessary.

- Drive in the centre lane away from pedestrians where possible.

- Change you routes on a regular basis.

- If approached by a stranger while in your vehicle, drive off if possible or use your hooter to attract attention.

- Lock your doors, close your windows.Put bags and briefcases in the boot. Cellphones should also not be visible.

- Be on the lookout for suspicious characters or vehicles and report them to the SAPS.

- When approaching a red traffic light at night or in a high-risk area, slow down so that you only reach it when it turns green.

- Do not take anything from people standing at intersections. Perpetrators are usually standing among them.

- If any person or vehicle arouses your suspicions, treat the situation as hostile and take appropriate action, e.g. when approaching a red traffic light or intersection, slow down, check for oncoming traffic and if clear, drive through the intersection. A fine will be preferable to an attack. Always report these incidents to the SAPS. But remember, this is not an excuse to ignore the rules of the road. – Sherlissa Peters

Source: Arrive Alive

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