South Africans are urged to pay attention to their surroundings at red lights following a concerning rise in smash-and-grab incidents.
This increase in vehicle-related crime is particularly prevalent in major cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg, where thieves are preying on distracted drivers stuck at intersections or in heavy traffic.
Red flags
Cape Town recorded a substantial rise in smash-and-grab crimes within a six-month period this year, going from seven cases in April to 42 cases in September.
One of the main hotspots identified by the City of Cape Town and the South African Police Services is Jakes Gerwel Drive, which is a major route connecting several parts of the Cape Flats.
Another unsafe route is Malibongwe Drive, where a spate of brazen theft attempts in broad daylight was recorded by a drone being used by a former police officer.
The City’s mayoral committee member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, has warned that motorists are especially vulnerable at intersections, which is made worse when drivers are distracted by their cellphones or other personal belongings.
Smash-and-grab attempt recorded in Cape Town
Johannesburg has experienced a similar uptick in smash-and-grab crime this year, with Grayston Drive in Sandton being one of the most targeted areas.
Traffic lights are a common location for these attempts since road users are naturally required to stop, but Joburg has also seen a growing number of cases where criminals are going after cars stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
One such incident occurred in February 2024 on the M2 when armed assailants marched up to various cars in gridlock and demanded their possessions, prompting the Joburg Metro Police (JMPD) to beef up their patrols on the city’s highways.
However, similar crimes have since been reported in other high-traffic situations, such as the Red Bull F1 Showrun in September.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla has stated that officers are conducting both visible and undercover patrols in areas of concern to combat these activities, but urged that drivers must remain vigilant.
Motorists are advised to keep their doors locked and windows rolled up at all times, regardless of how short they may be stopped at a light.
Valuable items like cellphones, handbags, and shopping bags should be kept out of sight, and distractions such as using a phone or eating should also be avoided, as this can make the driver less aware of their surroundings.
Unfortunately, these incidents are expected to spike over the holiday season as there will be far more people out on the roads and the authorities have limited resources to monitor every area.
While new security measures such as surveillance cameras have been found to be an effective deterrent, they are not located on every street corner, meaning car owners must take responsibility to ensure their safety by paying attention to their environment.
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