New hijacking trend hits Gauteng
Gauteng is regarded as South Africa's wealthiest province, but with that comes high crime rates.
Hijacking trends have peaked in what is regarded as South Africa's wealthiest province, Gauteng.
According to The National Community Police Board of South Africa (NCPS), hijackers have begun targeting victims "on off and on-ramps of South Africa’s busiest highways." (Business Tech)
The latest crime statistics have revealed that Gauteng has a consistent record of the highest levels of crime in South Africa, including crimes such as murder, robbery, and hijacking.
South African Police Service (SAPS) data indicates that three provinces have an increased level of hijackings: Gauteng (14.4%), the Western Cape (14%), and North West (11%).
The data showed that 66 cars are stolen daily in Gauteng alone, a 6.5% rise from the same period in 2022. Interestingly, KZN experienced a decline (17.6%) in carjackings over the same period.
"Gauteng also recorded 3,010 hijackings in the last reported quarter, representing 50.4% of all carjackings in Q3 2023/24. The Western Cape experienced 856 carjackings, and KwaZulu-Natal saw 834. Looking at more granular station data, Gauteng has the most hijackings per region, with Ivory Park in Ekurhuleni having the most cases. Jabulani in Johannesburg had the highest increase in reported cases, rocketing by 300% compared to last year." (Business Tech)
Hijackers are using the 'tap-tap' method coupled with targeting drivers on the highway. Once the criminals decide on their target, they follow you and bump you intentionally.
Once you stop to exchange information, they pounce on you, stealing your vehicle. Hijackers are said to be operating earlier in the day now and targeting drivers on the highway during the week, focusing more on peak-hour traffic.
Data retrieved from Naked Insurance shows that hijackings are more likely to occur earlier in the day. They said that "54% of hijackings within their footprint happened between 05h00 in the morning and 12h00, lunchtime.
“There’s a common perception that crimes like hijacking mainly occur after dark, but these statistics remind us that drivers must remain vigilant at all times,” said Ernest North, the co-founder of Naked Insurance." (Business Tech)
Drivers are urged to be more diligent and aware as hijackings increase. Criminals are also moving away from older, lower-value vehicles and are now targeting SUVs and double cabs.
Check out this article where Martin Bester chats to a Hijacking Expert on how to prevent being hijacked.
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