Hijackers have a new target in South Africa
The Toyota Corolla Cross is moving up on hijackers’ list in South Africa, with a case of a group specifically targeting the car, particularly in Gauteng.
On 23 September, security group Blue Hawk Tactical reported that a group of hijackers had been targeting Corolla Cross models across the province for several months.
The syndicate has been active in areas including the West Rand, Johannesburg, the East Rand, and Johannesburg South.
According to the group, intelligence led its operational teams to the East Rand on 22 September, where suspects in a grey Haval Jolion were seen scouting for over an hour before finally stealing a white Corolla Cross outside Kempton Park Court.
Blue Hawk Tactical said its teams had anticipated such a move and positioned themselves strategically at exit points.
The stolen Corolla Cross was later abandoned and recovered, while the Haval Jolion used as the pilot vehicle was intercepted.
Three suspects, including a woman who intelligence had previously identified as a driver of stolen vehicles, were arrested.
This is not an isolated case. The Corolla Cross has been climbing the list of most targeted cars in the country since late 2024, when Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Group, first raised the alarm.
Bartmann explained that hijackers tend to focus on popular and inconspicuous models. Vehicles like the Corolla Cross, particularly in common colours such as white and silver, blend into South African traffic, making them easy to move without drawing attention.
Once stolen, these cars are either stripped for parts or illegally re-registered and resold. The model’s soaring popularity has only added to the problem.
Launched in 2021, the Corolla Cross quickly established itself as one of South Africa’s best-selling vehicles.
By 2024 it ranked as the fourth most popular car sold nationwide, and in 2025 it has surged to second place, just behind the Toyota Hilux.
In August alone, 2,743 units were sold, highlighting the demand that is also fuelling its attraction for criminals.
No car is entirely safe
Security experts, including Bartmann, have warned that hijackings are driven largely by supply-and-demand economics.
Cars from Toyota, Volkswagen, and Ford remain favourites for hijackers because their parts are widely needed and easy to sell on the black market.
The Corolla Cross now belongs to this high-risk group. Anti-theft specialists Ghost South Africa have also highlighted it as one of the country’s most targeted vehicles.
While some vehicles are more vulnerable than others, experts have stressed that no car is entirely safe.
The broader picture shows that carjackings remain a deeply entrenched problem in South Africa. Although official police data indicates a year-on-year decline in incidents, the numbers are still staggering.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) reported 4,533 hijackings in the most recent three-month period, a 15.1% decrease from the same time in 2024. That still means around 50 vehicles are hijacked every single day.
The Victims of Crime survey paints an even clearer picture, accounting for incidents that never make it into police records.
It found that hijackings had declined from 114,000 to 81,000 year-on-year, a drop of nearly 29%. However, even with this decline, South Africa still recorded an average of 222 hijackings a day.
The majority of carjackings occur in South Africa’s most populous provinces. Gauteng alone accounted for 2,488 hijackings in the first quarter of 2025, 55% of the national total. KwaZulu-Natal followed with 583 cases, while the Western Cape reported 536.
The reality is that as long as demand for certain vehicles and their parts remains high, hijackers will continue to adapt their focus.
Bartmann has emphasised that hijackings can occur at any time and in any location. “Staying alert is probably the most important tip,” he advises. “Too often, we are distracted, which makes us vulnerable to criminal activity.
“The best response is to be alert and aware of any suspicious activity near you.”
Owners of high-target vehicles should take extra precautions, such as installing advanced tracking devices or avoiding high-risk areas during certain times.
Ultimately, the high popularity of certain vehicles translates to their increased likelihood of being hijacked.
Comparing the number of vehicles on the road with the corresponding hijacking incidents could offer a clearer picture of criminal preferences.
However, as Bartmann underscores, vigilance is essential for everyone, regardless of the make or model of their car.
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