{"id":490649,"date":"2021-05-16T09:18:49","date_gmt":"2021-05-16T07:18:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=490649"},"modified":"2021-05-16T12:38:28","modified_gmt":"2021-05-16T10:38:28","slug":"these-are-the-hijack-capitals-of-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/motoring\/490649\/these-are-the-hijack-capitals-of-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"These are the ‘hijack capitals’ of South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"

The South African Police Service has published crime statistics for the period between 1 January and 31 March 2021, showing an annual increase in hijackings in the country.<\/p>\n

The country reported a total of 4,513 carjackings over the period \u2013 an increase of 4.9% compared to the same period in the previous year (4,303).<\/p>\n

An increase in carjackings was reported across all but three provinces, including Limpopo, the North West and the Northern Cape.<\/p>\n

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As with the country\u2019s other major crimes statistics, the majority of the cases were reported in the most populous areas.<\/p>\n

The most carjacking cases were reported in Gauteng (2,328), followed by the KZN (757) and the Western Cape (600).\u00a0 Most of these hijackings take place in townships followed closely by residential areas.<\/p>\n

The cars of choice for criminals are sedans and hatchbacks followed by panel vans and bakkies.<\/p>\n

The table below highlights the areas which have had the most hijacking cases reported to their respective police stations:<\/p>\n

Nyanga in the Western Cape reported the most number of carjackings (107), followed by Loate in Gauteng (57), and Umlazi in KZN (56).<\/p>\n

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Police response\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

In response to the country’s high hijacking numbers, Police minister Bheki Cele said that his\u00a0department has several strategies to tackle South Africa\u2019s specific hotspot areas.<\/p>\n

Responding in a recent written parliamentary Q&A in April, Cele said that the South African Police Service (SAPS) addresses major trends and hotspots areas using an overarching crime strategy, that includes the following five pillars:<\/p>\n