Johannesburg crime alert: Hijack gang poses threat in northern suburbs

Johannesburg crime alert: Hijack gang poses threat in northern
suburbs

Alert Area
31 March 2010 Johannesburg. The murder of a Johannesburg businessman on Monday night
in Parktown highlights the operation of a hijacking syndicate that appears to be targeting victims
in the northern suburbs. Peter Granat, the Managing Director of Autozone, was shot dead
apparently after being pulled off the road by a vehicle displaying blue police lights. TravelSafe
has learned that over the past month several similar incidents have occurred in Sandton,
Douglasdale, Woodmead and Randburg, all roughly 15-20km from the Johannesburg CBD and
within 10-15km of the Sandton CBD. A particularly high risk area appears to be between the
Marlboro off-ramp and the Buccleuch interchange, on the N3/M1 highways. The most common
time of incidents is between 1900 and 2100. Current information suggests that the perpetrators
comprise a white male driver and three black male occupants. Most victims appear to have
been abducted for short periods and then released unharmed.
Our Comments
Motorists are advised to exercise extreme vigilance and caution in the areas and at the times
indicated. We advise that motorists who are confronted with any umarked vehicle displaying
flashing blue lights on the vehicle dashboard should put their hazard lights on and proceed to
the nearest police station, while summonsing support from emergency/police services. The
gang should be considered extremely dangerous and confrontation with the perpetrators should
be avoided.
Date: 31st March 2010