I know many people who have been victims to the violent crime that is hijacking. It’s sad to say but it’s the truth. Almost everyone I know has been directly or indirectly affected by a hijacking or other violent crime in SA.
It happened again last night. Not directly to me but to two neighbours of mine in my Townhouse complex.
I live in a relatively good area which is relatively safe and relatively close to everything one could need; Sandton City, Woodmead, Fourways, shopping malls, fitment centres, entertainment, you name it and I’m near to it. I love where I live.
But coming home last night there was a police car in my driveway.
Turns out that two cars had followed one of my neighbours in to the complex and then gone looking for others to rob once they had robbed her. They fled after beating my immediate neighbour and his party guests a bit. They were in such a rush that one of the cars crashed in to a tree and the other fled.
The police were astounding. They caught one group of hijackers and continued to look for the other well in to the night. All the while placing a police vehicle with officers in our complex until the residence affected felt safe enough to let the policemen go. I was extremely impressed with what I saw from the police officers in my area who were there to help. They did a sterling job.
The point
I am trying to say that there is nothing that one can do after hearing about something like this.
What am I meant to do now? Change the way I live, not come in to my own driveway? Lock the doors all the time? Get more security? No. I don’t think this is the solution. I think the solution is to realise that we need to be vigilant. I need to learn the names of my neighbours and what cares they drive. I don’t think this is too much to ask of myself. I think that this makes sense and I’ve just been slack since moving in.
I need to remember that I live in South Africa. Sometimes it’s easy to slip in to a sense of security that is easily shattered.
Luckily this time no one was badly hurt and wounds will heal.
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May 21st, 2009 at 10:38 am
I love South Africa but because of all the CRAP going on here i am thinking about going over sea in a year or 2!
May 21st, 2009 at 10:43 am
That’s a pity Etienne, I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to stay and fight for what is mine and what belongs to this country. That is freedom, quality of life and happiness. I’m not going anywhere soon.
May 21st, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Etienne, you should go. It’s a great chance to travel, get international experience and realize what you had all along back in SA. I can assure you that the grass is not greener on the other side. I guarantee you will miss South Africa so much! Go, but be sure to come back with a real appreciation for this wonderful country and a renewed commitment to make it work.
May 21st, 2009 at 11:34 pm
It does happen and thats what comes with living in South Africa. You just need to always be alert and have your eyes open. I spent 4 years at a school in the UK and came back home to SA for holidays. The one short break I had back home we were followed home during the day (joburg) and were taken inside the house with a gun to our head. They said they were going to kill us etc… but luckily no-one was hurt. Telling this to the people in the UK was a joke, they couldnt believe it. But it happens… But I still love this country more than you believe it!
May 24th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
typical limey liberals …. you HAD to have a white guy pose as a car jacker.
May 26th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
I’ve been hijacked twice in my life. Traumatised after both incidents (I freak out for guns…). One just has to make the decision to NOT let it rule your life.