Hijackings have unfortunately become a common occurrence on South Africa’s roads, with motorists having to contend with around 50 incidents per day, as hijackers use increasingly clever tactics.
With the help of police crime statistics, Cartrack revealed that 4,778 carjackings took place in the most recent three-month period, which, despite representing a 12.3% decrease from 2024, is still alarming.
The vehicle tracking company explained that hijacking remains a great concern and noted why it is important to keep up with trends and know what to expect from hijackers.
According to Cartrack, the three provinces with the highest hijacking numbers are Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape.
It added that the Eastern Cape has seen a rapid rise in recent hijacking trends, while Mpumalanga has also emerged as a new high-risk province, with eMalahleni being named a hotspot.
The hotspots in Gauteng, according to police crime statistics, are Ivory Park, Mamelodi East, Akasia, Jabulani, Moroka, Pretoria West, Sandringham, Vosloorus and Tembisa.
In KwaZulu-Natal, Durban Central remains a hijacking hotspot, as do Umlazi, Bhekithemba, and Inanda.
Several areas in the Western Cape have also been identified as hotspots; these are Nyanga, Delft, Lingelethu West, Mfuleni, Harare, and Philippi East.
Cartrack reported that sedans, hatchbacks, and coupés made up the bulk of vehicles targeted by carjackers, totalling 44% of all hijackings.
Bakkies and panel vans were the second-most commonly targeted vehicles, making up 33.1% of recorded hijackings. SUVs and station wagons came in third, with 7.5% of all hijackings.
The rise in delivery services has led to motorcycles being targeted more often than before.
Motorbike hijackings increased by over 20%, with criminals using fake delivery orders to lure unsuspecting drivers.
An increase in trucks over 3,500kg becoming the target of hijackings has also been reported, as criminals look to steal valuable cargo or use these vehicles to commit further crimes.
Commonly used tactics
Hijackers in South Africa are constantly changing tactics and trying to find new ways to target people, knowing these tactics can help drivers avoid becoming victims.
As such, Cartrack shared a list of tactics motorists need to be aware of, including locations they are most likely to become targets, as well as the methods used by hijackers.
One of the most common tactics used in hijackings is exploiting traffic congestion, during which hijackers box in a targeted car by stopping in front of or behind the vehicle.
Criminals know that slow-moving traffic and busy intersections ensure that victims will have no chance to speed off or change lanes.
Carjackers may fake emergencies or breakdowns to prompt drivers to stop and help, before overpowering them once they step out of their vehicle and taking it by force.
Alternatively, hijackers may use the blockage or driveway method, where drivers target drive-throughs, toll gates, and driveways to steal targeted cars.
Using this tactic, one car will pull in front of a target while another parks behind, boxing in the target, and allowing no way to escape.
Some brazen hijackers may even use the “tap-tap” method, in which they will slightly bump their target, often at an intersection, making it look like a minor accident and luring a driver out of their vehicle.
Once outside, hijackers overpower the driver and take the vehicle.
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