Motorists should be aware that hijackers were posing as beggars in order to hijack people, Johannesburg Metro Police said on Tuesday.

Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said three armed men disguised as beggars hijacked a Chinese national man on the Marlboro road offramp from the N3 north late on Monday afternoon.

The hijacking was witnessed by community members who reported the incident to metro police officers.

Officers spotted the Hyundai van that had been hijacked and saw three men abandon the van and flee into the field.

The owner of the van was still inside the van when police arrived.

No arrests had been made.

Motorists should beware of hijackers posing as beggars around the Marlboro offramp on the N3, around the Corlette drive offramp on the M1 and around the Grayston drive offramp on the M1, Minnaar said.

Sapa