Criminals targetting online food delivery in South Africa

The surge in online food and grocery delivery in South Africa has created new opportunities for convenience but has also exposed delivery drivers to significant risk.

Delivery drivers on motorbikes, who serve as the backbone of this booming industry, have become easy targets for criminals who are exploiting this rapid growth in digital retail.

As more South Africans turn to online shopping for essentials, with approximately 40% of adults now participating in digital retail, criminals have increasingly focused on these delivery workers.

Over the past decade, online retail has seen exponential growth in South Africa.

Annual revenue from online shopping reached R4.43 billion in 2013 and has surged to over R71 billion by 2023.

Projections estimate that it will exceed R100 billion by 2026.

This rapid growth has spurred grocery giants like Checkers, Pick n Pay, Woolworths, and SPAR to develop dedicated delivery services such as Sixty60, ASAP!, Woolies Dash, and SPAR2U to meet the demand.

Consumers are embracing the ease of receiving groceries at their doorsteps.

A recent Trade Intelligence survey indicated that more than a quarter of South Africans plan to increase their online grocery shopping this year.

However, this demand has not gone unnoticed by criminals, who have quickly adapted to exploit it.

Cartrack, a vehicle recovery service, and the South African Police Service (SAPS) have both reported a sharp increase in incidents targeting delivery motorcyclists.

Delivery drivers, particularly those on motorcycles, are now frequently targeted by hijacking syndicates that lure them into unsafe areas under the guise of a legitimate order.

Once the drivers arrive, they are robbed of their vehicles, personal items such as cash and cell phones.

SAPS has also identified Checkers Sixty60 and Mr Delivery motorcycles as particularly frequent targets.

These criminals’ tactics are troublingly sophisticated.

Often, they place fraudulent orders with the sole intent of ambushing the delivery driver and seizing their motorcycle and any valuable items they may have.

Some delivery drivers have even speculated that the perpetrators are colluding with insiders within the delivery industry, who might be tipping off hijackers or even coordinating thefts.

This coordination makes the crimes more difficult to prevent and has fueled concerns about the safety of these essential workers.

The latest SAPS crime statistics underscore the severity of the issue.

Between April and June 2024, over 5,400 hijackings were reported across South Africa’s nine provinces—an average of around 60 per day.

During the same period, more than 8,600 cars and motorcycles were stolen, meaning approximately 96 vehicles were stolen daily.

This wave of theft not only affects the safety of delivery drivers but also impacts their livelihoods.

Many of these drivers operate as independent contractors, relying on their motorcycles to earn a living.

Losing a motorcycle to theft can have devastating consequences, including job loss, reduced income, and increased expenses for companies trying to cover stolen assets.

Cartrack, highlighting the impact of these crimes, emphasised that motorcycle thefts can lead to significant disruptions for drivers and businesses alike.

Delayed deliveries, customer dissatisfaction, and logistical challenges are just a few of the issues delivery companies face when hijackings occur.

Even when motorcycles are owned by the delivery companies rather than the drivers, these incidents strain business operations, drive up costs and harm the reputation of the delivery services that so many South Africans depend on.

The growing vulnerability of delivery drivers reflects a dark side to the expansion of South Africa’s digital economy.

While the convenience of online grocery delivery has made life easier for countless people, it has also created a vulnerable population of workers who risk their lives daily to meet consumer demand.

As the industry continues to grow, addressing the safety and security of delivery personnel will be essential to maintaining a sustainable and secure online retail ecosystem in South Africa.

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