Last year, the rate of hijackings in South Africa seemed to reach an all-time high.

Perhaps the sheer volume of incidents that dominated the headlines prepared people for the possibility of an attack, because potential victims have been getting creative when it comes to getting out of hijacking situations.

From wrecking their own cars to displaying some mad driving skills, people are not handing their vehicles over without a fight.

Just earlier this month, a driver managed to trap would-be hijackers before speeding away in Morningside, Johannesburg.

Cause and effect dictates that if car owners are getting creative, hijackers are going to follow suit.

BusinessTech reports that the South African Police Service (SAPS) is warning second-hand car dealerships and private sellers to watch out for a new tactic that hijackers are using to steal cars.

The warning comes amid reports of second-hand motor dealerships and private sellers being approached by ‘prospective clients’, who take the cars for a test drive and are then subsequently ‘hijacked’.

According to the SAPS, in one of the incidents, suspects pretended to be buyers and requested a test drive in a bakkie. They were then accompanied by the salesperson of the dealership.

During the ‘test drive’, the suspects drove to a deserted area, pulled a gun on the victim, instructed him to get out of the car, and drove off.

In another incident, the criminal responded to an advert for a Toyota Avanza on Facebook, phoned the seller, to arranged to meet him.

During the first meeting, it was agreed that the buyer will pay cash and first test-drive the vehicle.

He returned later the same day, accompanied by three friends. When meeting the seller, the seller and his friends were surrounded by a group of about 14 people, armed with firearms and pangas.

They were robbed of their cash and personal items, like cellphones, before they were allowed to leave.

SAPS issued a number of safety tips, which included the following:

• Don’t meet strangers at your home or in strictly residential areas. Instead, meet in a nearby shopping area, a grocery store, fast-food restaurant parking lot or at the Police Station. Make sure the area is busy and filled with lots of people. Daytime is better.
• If you are selling/buying something and become suspicious of the buyer/seller for any reason, don’t let them in your car but leave immediately.
• Do not carry a large amount of cash with you, and to leave immediately if the advertised product is not at the agreed place;
• If you are robbed, give the suspects the property they demand; your life is more valuable than your property.

That last one is particularly important.

You’re worth more than whatever four-wheeler you’re selling.

[source:businesstech]