Criminals are terrorising communities all over South Africa,

but behind the scenes, a co-ordinated civilian-police strategy in some areas is proving to be a huge success. Involving private security companies, emergency services, vehicle-tracking companies and community volunteers, among others, crimes are being rapidly attended to. POST reporters BUSISIWE MPOFANA and LLOYD GOVINDSAMY spent a day with some volunteers of one Durban anti-crime group and also spoke to others. See also

AS MANY as seven hijackings or attempted hijackings in as many days in several Durban suburbs have left motorists in the grip of fear.

Among the latest victims is a 35- year- old Phoenix mother who was left traumatised when a gun was pointed at her head when she arrived home from a shopping mall outing on Friday evening.

The Northcroft woman, who requested anonymity as she fears for her life, said she was accosted by two armed men at her driveway gate.

“It was around 7pm. I parked at my gate like I usually do and went to open it. Before I got out of the car I looked around and everything seemed fine and safe. I opened the gate and returned to my vehicle, a VW Polo.”

She said as she got back into the car two men dressed in black with their faces covered approached her vehicle.

“One came to my side and held a gun to my head. He told me to listen or else he would shoot me. He told me to get out of car. While this was happening, the second suspect came into the car and sat in the passenger seat. He was also armed with a gun.”

The woman said she pleaded with the men to let her go.

“I told them to take everything and to leave me alone. I was so afraid they were going to shoot me and take me with them. The hijacker pushed me out of the vehicle and was about to drive off with my car but a neighbour who had seen what had happened started screaming for help.”

She said the woman’s screams alerted other residents who began screaming, “Call the police!”

“I think the men got a fright; they left the vehicle and ran off. I was seated on my driveway in tears. I was so scared. My first thought was whether or not I would see my children and I was so thankful that they were not with me when this happened.”

The woman said the ordeal had left her traumatised.

“I have been having sleepless nights. All I picture is these men next to me. Even now when I drive and when I approach my gate I replay Friday night’s events in my head. I am thinking of going for counselling.”

She advised other motorists to always be vigilant and to take the necessary precautions when entering their homes.

The incident was reported to the Phoenix police station.

Meanwhile, according to Nandhan Arran, administrator for the EMS WhatsApp group, there was an attempted hijacking of a Land Rover in Morningside last Wednesday. The next day there was another attempted hijacking of an Audi in Florida Road. The victim shot at the suspects, who fled.

“On the same day, a VW Polo was hijacked in Kies Avenue, Reservoir Hills, followed by another on Innes Road. Here the SAPS attended and the vehicle was recovered. On Friday, a Ford Fiesta was taken on Peter Mokaba (Ridge) Road. Soon after, a Polo Classic was stolen from Felix Dlamini ( Brickfield) Road and the driver was dropped off in Overport City.”

Arran said that on Monday night there was an attempted hijacking in Smiso Nkwanyana (Goble) Road.

The criminals in a Renault Clio had tried to hijack a black Polo Vivo but the owner opened fire on the suspects and they fled.

“We work with other crime forums who post incidents on the chat to make people aware of what is happening in their communities,” said Arran.

“Every person on the chat is helping to fight crime and every bit of information helps in the fight.”