This article appeared the the latest BKM Neighbourhood watch newsletter:

The aim is to survive the crime. Accept that you are going to lose a valuable possession - your vehicle.

• Do not lose your cool, or threaten or challenge the hijacker.
• Do exactly as told by the hijackers. Surrender your vehicle and move away. Don’t reach for your purse or valuables. This may threaten the hijackers and you may get hurt. Leave everything in the vehicle. Remember - the hijackers will be as nervous, if not more so, than you
• Answer any questions truthfully, especially with regard to firearms. If the hijacker finds out or suspects that you have lied to him, he is more likely to turn violent and unleash his frustrations on you physically.
• Try to remain calm at all times and do not show signs of aggression. Keep your hands still and visible to the hijacker, and make slow movements.
• Gather as much information as possible without posing a threat. How many hijackers are there, what they are wearing, their ages and any facial and physical features.
• If you have a baby sleeping in the back seat, which they may not have noticed, tell the attackers. Do the same if you have a pet in the car.
• Phone the SAPS emergency number 10111 immediately after the hijacker/s has left the scene.
•  Give a full description and registration number of your vehicle.
• Immediately proceed to stop all bank accounts that may be accessed through the loss of any personal belongings, blacklist your cell phone, report your ID stolen, and change the locks to any door keys that have been taken.