Police call for industry input to beat hijacking scourge

Setting up a comprehensive
database around truck
hijackings and other related
incidents is a major priority
for the South African Police
Service.
According to Gauteng
police spokesman, Colonel
Eugene Opperman, while
they have already started
to create an extensive
database, it is imperative
that the transport industry
join hands with the police if
the province really wants to
break the back of escalating
crime.
“We want to know
everything about hijackings
and incidents involving
trucks – be it a heist or
a hijacking, or just an
attempt. We want to know
where it happened, who
was involved, how did the
hijacking or attempted
heist transpire, where did
it happen – absolutely all
information is vital.”
According to Opperman,
information around the
cargo is just as important.
“This information forms
an integral part of the
intelligence. The more we
know, the more we can track
and trace people, identifying
hot spots and specific cargo
that is being targeted.”
Truck hijackings have
been an increasing crime,
not just in Gauteng (where
the problem is more
prevalent) but also across
the country. “The more
information we have on
hijackings, the better we
can police,” says Opperman.
“We have also implemented
a rapid response system
and the moment we get
information that a signal
from a truck has been lost
or that an owner is worried
about the whereabouts of
the truck, we will send out a
response unit.”
Opperman says it is all
about being able to react
immediately. “The SAPS
Organised Crime Unit is
taking on the responsibility
of investigating truck
hijackings. We are
determined to break the
back of this crime, which
is costing the economy
millions.”
Already areas such as
the N3 near Heidelberg, the
R21 towards Witbank and
N12 towards Potchefstroom
have been identified as
areas often targeted for the
hijacking of trucks.
According to Lorinda Nel,
national project manager for
Business Against Crime,
the aim is to bring all the
role-players on board. “As
business we must work with
the police and a database
with all the information will
allow not just companies
to be able to be proactive,
but also go a long way in
helping police with their
investigations.”