Installing a dashcam, using a steering wheel lock, and putting your key into a Faraday pouch are three powerful ways to keep your vehicle from being stolen in South Africa.
The South African Police’s latest crime statistics revealed the shocking reality that an average of 93 cars are stolen in the country on a daily basis. It’s very possible that the true figure is even higher than this, as many of these incidents go unreported.
Bakkies and hatchbacks are the most targeted vehicles for criminal syndicates, though vehicles such as crossovers and SUVs have recently also gained favour in their eyes.
Over the last year, security company Fidelity has identified 13 high-risk vehicles that criminals have shown a growing interest in, including:
- Ford Ranger
- Hyundai i20
- Nissan Almera
- 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 RAV4
- VW Polo
These cars are generally stolen for a particular reason.
Popular models such as the Toyota Hilux and VW Polo are often delivered to chop shops where they are quickly disassembled and their parts distributed to black market dealers.
Other cars like the Toyota Corolla Cross and RAV4 are normally smuggled across the border where they are sold for cheap as they are well-equipped to handle tough African conditions.
Fidelity highlighted that approximately 30% of all stolen and hijacked vehicles in 2023 were smuggled to one of South Africa’s northern neighbours.
Some of the models listed above are even required to be equipped with two or more tracking devices should they wish to retain insurance coverage, and even then, it’s not always enough.
It’s thus important to take proactive measures to prevent your car from being taken without your permission.
Dashcams
A car dashcam is a powerful theft deterrent, and one every South African motorist can stand to benefit from.
Dashcams function as a visible disincentive for criminals to take a particular vehicle as it is always possible that the camera is busy recording the incident and streaming everything back to the owner.
These devices have nowadays become so advanced that they even offer features like night vision, GPS tracking, and parking modes.
As per vehicle telematics firm Cartrack, criminals don’t like an audience and just the presence of a visible dash camera is “often enough to make wrongdoers think twice before targeting your vehicle.”
Steering wheel lock
Staying on the theme of visible theft deterrents, an old-school steering wheel lock remains as effective today as it was decades ago.
These devices have proven to be one of the best anti-theft systems on the market as they prevent your steering wheel from turning.
As such, thieves may be able to break into your car and start it, but they won’t be able to drive it away without crashing.
Steering wheel locks come in different colours and sizes to fit everyone’s tastes and vehicles, and they are widely available at relatively affordable prices.
If you want to take it a step further, you can combine the steering wheel lock with a gear-lock system that stops the gear shifter from moving even if the thieves are somehow able to free the steering wheel.
Faraday pouch
Vehicles with keyless entry continually emit a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) signal, which means there is no on/off switch. This renders your vehicle vulnerable to attacks.
One of the most seen methods of vehicle theft in recent years involves key-fob hacking, which is when criminals use specialised devices to intercept the signal emitted by the key to hack the car’s key fob and unlock doors.
“It’s sophisticated in terms of technology use and is becoming increasingly common,” said Cartrack.
Relay theft is another commonly used method.
In this scenario criminals use two devices, one to amplify the signal from the car owner’s key fob and another to relay it to the vehicle, effectively unlocking it and allowing them to unlock and start the car engine without the use of the actual key.
For owners of cars with keyless-entry functionality, it’s advised to store the key in a Faraday Pouch when not in use.
These pouches are lined with specially made fabric that stops the RFID signal from your key fob; making it difficult, if not impossible, for criminals to pick it up and clone it to get into your car.
On Takealot, for example, these pouches can be purchased for as little as R90, a small investment in the grand scheme of things.
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