The latest vehicle crime statistics in South Africa reveal a troubling shift in the targeting of business-owned vehicles, which are now at far greater risk of hijacking compared to privately owned cars.

According to data from Tracker South Africa for the period January to June 2024, hijacking dominates vehicle crime incidents, making up 54% of all such crimes, with the rest being theft.

However, the risk of hijacking is disproportionately higher for business-owned vehicles, which have become prime targets for organized crime syndicates across the country.

This spike in business vehicle hijackings is particularly evident in the Eastern and Western Cape.

In the Eastern Cape, a personal vehicle is four times more likely to be hijacked than stolen, while a business vehicle is nine times more likely to be hijacked.

The Tracker Vehicle Crime Index highlights that business vehicles in the Eastern Cape are 43% more likely to experience vehicle crime compared to personal vehicles.

This trend is driven by the value of goods transported by business vehicles, which range from cargo trucks to courier vans, making them highly lucrative targets for criminals.

The Western Cape presents a similar pattern, where a personal vehicle is almost twice as likely to be hijacked rather than stolen, and business vehicles are four times more likely to be hijacked.

This targeting of business vehicles reflects the broader rise in crimes directed at the road freight industry, with hijackings becoming more frequent and violent.

The Road Freight Association (RFA) has reported that hijacking incidents in the sector have surged dramatically, with well-organized syndicates driving the escalation.

According to the RFA’s operational incident index, the number of hijackings increased by 50% in 2023 compared to the previous year, and the trend has worsened in 2024.

In June alone, nearly 65 hijackings were reported each day, a significant rise from the fewer than 20 incidents per day reported in 2022.

Gavin Kelly, CEO of the RFA, describes the current environment as resembling “mafia-style” attacks on road freight vehicles.

Criminals not only hijack the vehicles but often aim to seize the goods being transported, adding to the profitability of these crimes.

Courier companies, including major players like The Courier Guy, have been forced to implement costly security measures to protect their vehicles and drivers, including employing armed escorts.

These rising security expenses are eating into profit margins, making it difficult for logistics companies to operate sustainably in this increasingly dangerous landscape.

While the focus has shifted to business vehicles, private vehicle owners are by no means exempt from the threat of hijacking.

In fact, hijackings of private vehicles remain a significant concern, particularly in areas like Gauteng, where 51% of all hijackings occur.

Despite the uptick in theft driven by keyless entry relay attacks, hijacking remains a prevalent form of vehicle crime.

Specific car models continue to be at high risk, with Toyota and Volkswagen vehicles being particularly vulnerable due to their popularity in both South Africa and neighbouring countries.

The following vehicle models have been identified as high-risk for hijacking in South Africa:

• Ford Ranger
• Hyundai i20
• Nissan NP200
• Toyota Corolla Cross
• Toyota Corolla
• Toyota Etios
• Toyota Fortuner (GD6 and D4D)
• Toyota Hilux (GD6 and D4D)
• Toyota Prado
• Toyota Land Cruiser
• Toyota RAV 4
• VW Polo (especially hatchbacks)
• 

Geographically, the risk of hijacking is concentrated in several hotspots.

In Gauteng, areas such as Eldorado Park, Ivory Park, and Moroka are notorious for hijacking incidents, particularly as victims pull into their driveways.

KwaZulu-Natal has also seen a rise in hijackings, with Mariannhill and Umlazi standing out as key crime zones.

In the Western Cape, Delft, Nyanga, and Philippi East have emerged as areas with increasing hijacking activity.

Certain times of the week are more dangerous than others, with Fridays between 15:00 and 22:00 being the most perilous for hijackings.

On the other hand, vehicle theft is more likely to occur on Saturdays.

These trends highlight the ongoing and evolving nature of vehicle crime in South Africa, with business vehicles now at the forefront of this criminal wave but private vehicle owners still needing to remain vigilant.