North West police have arrested seven people believed to be members of a gang that used women posing as prostitutes and hikers to lure motorists to stop, then rob them and take their vehicles.
Spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh said the seven people were arrested over the weekend and were linked to various cases of hijacking, murder, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition and theft committed in Hartbeespoortdam, Muldersdrift and Attridgeville.
“It is alleged that in some of the incidents, the suspects used ladies to lure potential victims by pretending to be hitch-hikers, prostitutes or damsels in distress. Upon stopping, male suspects would suddenly emerge from the bushes, then overpower victims and hijack their vehicles. In most instances, motorists were also robbed of their valuables,” Mayburgh said.
In one of the incidents reported on January 3, a 44-year-old victim was travelling in his Toyota Corolla Quest on the R512, close to Hartbeespoortdam, when another Toyota Conquest suddenly stopped right in front of his vehicle.
Mayburgh said after the motorist stopped, six people, three of them armed with firearms emerged and pounced on him.
“The victim was tied-up and robbed of his personal belongings and the vehicle. The suspects drove off, leaving him in the bushes. The victim managed to walk to the road, where he was helped by a passer-by.
“In another incident in the morning of Friday, 2 October 2020, a 44-year-old man allegedly stopped his vehicle to assist a lady next to the road, opposite an Estate in Dr Wild Fig Street, Hartbeespoortdam. Furthermore, suspects stormed out of the bushes, pointed him with firearms and robbed him of his personal belongings,” she said.
Following investigations, four people were arrested, Abrahim Thobejane, 37, Gaven Khumalo 39, Edgar Maluleka, 40 and Koos Maite, 37. The four appeared in the Brits Magistrates’ Court on Monday facing charges of car hijacking and aggravated robbery. They will remain in custody until their next court appearance on December 1.
Myburgh said three more people were expected to appear in the Attridgeville and Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Courts this week.
She said the group operated as a gang on the borders of Gauteng and North West. In some of the cases reported to the police, the gang would rob two separate vehicles in a space of two hours.
Myburgh warned motorists to never stop on the road when seeing a woman who looks to be in distress.
“Motorists should not stop for anyone. If you see a lady that looks to be in distress phone the police to go and assist her. Sometimes a woman can carry a baby to make herself more realistic. When you stop, the guys will jump from the bushes and rob you. During one of these hijackings, one person was killed," she said.
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