In a country long plagued by the threat of carjacking, recent statistics provide a glimmer of hope for motorists. Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, announced a remarkable decrease in carjackings, reporting a 19.5% decline in the last quarter of 2024 compared to the same term in the previous year. However, this positive development does not overshadow the serious and ongoing concern over personal safety on the roads.
The statistics, revealed in February 2025, reveal notable reductions across several provinces, with Limpopo at the forefront of this trend, experiencing a staggering 63% drop in carjacking incidents.
The Free State followed with a significant reduction in counts, reporting 50 fewer incidents. KwaZulu-Natal, historically known for high hijacking rates, saw a 28.2% decline, and Mpumalanga showcased a 24.6% drop.
The Western Cape, while still grappling with high carjacking figures, achieved a decrease of 18.9%, closely followed by the Eastern Cape at 18.8%.
The North West province reported a decline of 17.9%, while Gauteng, the economic hub of the nation, noted a drop of 14.7%. The Northern Cape, despite showing a decrease, remains at the tail end of the statistics, indicating that the fight against carjacking is far from over.
Despite these encouraging statistics, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has not yet released information on the specific brands and models that hijackers most frequently target.
However, a report by MotorHappy sheds light on the connection between vehicle theft and the black market. It has identified at least 13 vehicle types that stand out as prime targets in South Africa, including discontinued models like the Toyota Etios and the Nissan Almera sedan and NP200 bakkie. The demand for these vehicles remains robust not only locally but also across the continent.
Vehicles targeted by hijackers in South Africa
- Ford Ranger
- Hyundai i20
- Nissan Almera
- Nissan NP200
- Toyota Corolla
- Toyota Corolla Cross
- Toyota Etios
- Toyota Fortuner
- Toyota Hilux
- Toyota Prado
- Toyota Land Cruiser
- Toyota Rav4
- Volkswagen Polo
Alongside the alarming trend of carjackings, the Road Freight Association has raised concerns about a dramatic increase in hijackings targeting e-hailing and courier vehicles, primarily due to the valuable cargo that these vehicles often transport.
Hijacking hot spots
Key trouble spots across various provinces have been identified, with specific areas in Gauteng, the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape emerging as high-risk zones.
- Gauteng hotspots: Eldorado Park, Ivory Park, Loate, Moroka, and Orange Farms.
- Western Cape hotspots: Philippi East, Harare, Nyanga, Parow, and most parts of town.
- KwaZulu-Natal hotspots: Umlazi, Mariannhill, Ntuzuma, Inanda, Bhekithemba and Durban on Alpine Road, West Street as well as the corner of Warwick Avenue and Smith Street.
- Eastern Cape target routes: The N2 corridor toward Gqeberha.
Hijacking locations, times, and days
Interestingly, data from Arrive Alive indicates that hijackings are most likely to occur on Fridays, followed closely by Tuesdays and Thursdays, particularly between the hours of 4 PM and 8 PM.
The National Hijacking Prevention Academy notes that hijackers tend to favour locations where vehicles are either moving slowly or are stopped altogether, often targeting residential driveways and busy intersections. Other typical hotspots include places where drivers pause to answer phone calls, filling stations, parking lots, and areas designated for passenger pick-up or drop-off.
IOL News