Police in Gauteng must do more to heighten their visibility particularly in known crime hotspots, as motorists are left defenceless and at times have to defend themselves against marauding criminal gangs.
These are the sentiments of veteran forensic crime investigator Calvin Rafadi, reacting to the incident on Tuesday, where a cornered motorist allegedly drew his firearm and killed three suspected hijackers on the N1 near Soweto.
“On every area that is a hotspot, be it for smash-and-grab, spiking of the roads, hijackings – there must be a particular marked police vehicle stationed at all times in such areas,” Rafadi said in an interview with IOL.
“We have seen such criminal incidents in areas like Soshanguve, the Gillooly's Interchange and other places. It is only at a few of these areas where you see police vehicles stationed but that is what needs to happen.”
Rafadi said the vehicles driven by some motorist were quite “high-risk” as many are often intercepted and hijacked by daring criminals.
“Tsotsis really want that Toyota Hilux bakkie. They either steal it when parked or they hijack if from the motorist so you can see the motorists driving such vehicles are always concerned, ready for action should their lives be threatened,” he said.
Rafadi said it is good to have a firearm for self-defence and protection but the weapon has to be concealed.
“Once they can see and feel threatened before these horrific actions, they might kill the victim and then they steal the firearm and the vehicle. Whoever legally owns a fiream, they should keep it hidden so that when the motorists react in retaliation, then the criminals should not feel threatened at first,” he said.
On Wednesday, IOL reported that police in Gauteng have released further information on the N1 shooting where the motorist shot and the killed three alleged hijackers at the Diepkloof interchange in Soweto.
Three suspected hijackers were declared dead on Tuesday and their bodies were covered in foil, next to the white Toyota Hilux double cab bakkie.
Gauteng police spokesperson, Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the motorist was driving when he was accosted by people in two vehicles, purporting to be police officers.
“It is alleged that a man was driving on the highway when occupants on two different vehicles signalled him to stop and showed him what looked like a police appointment certificate,” said Nevhuhulwi.
“When he stopped, three males from the red Kia Rio vehicle approached and told him there is something wrong under his car. When he bent to check, he was pointed with a knife and instructed not to move as they wanted his car and not him.”
The motorist who had a firearm on his waist immediately responded and started shooting.
“The suspects from another vehicle, a blue Ford Focus, also shot back while driving off. Three suspects were declared dead on the scene,” said Nevhuhulwi.
She said police in Gauteng are investigating a case of murder, attempted murder and attempted hijacking.
Rafadi added that heightened police visibility, including by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department would ensure the safety of motorists.
IOL