Hijacking is on the rise in South Africa

It’s an unfortunate reality that hits close to home for many South Africans, and car-related crimes only seems to be increasing year after year. From car theft and hijackings to safety nets, there are a few things we should all take into account the next time we’re going to and from work as well as school. 

Everything you need to know about the increase in hijacking incidents

While we may have a good idea of where crime hotspots are throughout the cities, many of us don’t know that most car thefts happen in our very own driveways. According to Crime SA reports and ADT Security, around 71% of car hijackings happen the minute we pull into the driveway, while the rest occur at shopping malls as well as sporting and school events. 

List of high-risk cars in South Africa

Reports compiled by The South African Police Service (SAPS) shows a 6.5% increase in hijackings and car theft compared to last year, 66 cars on the daily to be exact. 

There are certain vehicles more susceptible to car theft than others, based on the black market’s demand and supply. As such, VW’s and Toyotas, Fords and Nissan remains the most important on the criminals hit list.

Naamsa reports show that VW and Toyota rank the highest and second-best selling vehicle in the country. Models like the Hilux bakkie and VW polo are prime targets. 

Certain provinces have also seen bigger jumps in hijacking when compared to the rest of the country

Most stolen car parts

What’s more pressing is that criminals are targeting specific items of the vehicle rather than the entire vehicle, notably parts that are readily available and easier to conceal. Parts like hubcaps and badges have always been incredibly popular with car thieves, but nowadays, there’s a lot more where that came from. To name a few, this is what’s on the hit list at the moment: airbags, batteries, wheels, tailgates, tires, headlights, and more.

Stats by province

Gauteng and the Western Cape statistics sit around the margins of 14%, whereas the Northwest is at 11%. KZN saw a 17% decrease in hijackings, with a 5.2% decrease in the Eastern Cape.

Based on the more populated provinces, here are the top crime hotspots for hijackings:

Gauteng: Ivory Park, Moroka, Loate, Orange Farms, Eldorado Park

Kwazulu-Natal: Umlazi, Mariannhill

Western Cape: Philippi East, Harare, Nyanga, Mfuleni, Delft 

Stay safe with these car theft prevention tips

To protect yourself and your vehicle from tech-savvy criminals, we urge any motorist to do the following: 

• Secure your wheels with locknuts.
• Strengthen your battery bracket.
• Park your vehicle in busy, well-lit locations.
• Ensure your vehicle is locked before leaving it.
• Keep valuables hidden from view.
• Avoid driving through high-risk areas and popular hijacking spots.
• Refrain from connecting to unsecure Wi-Fi networks from your vehicle.
• Stay alert and do not exit your car for any reason.
• Install a GPS tracker to optimise car recovery and security

Stay safe and secure with a trusted and tailored Car Insurance policy through MotorHappy. Follow our Guide to Car Insurance on how to protect wallet and investment.