{"id":694389,"date":"2023-06-07T17:00:14","date_gmt":"2023-06-07T15:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=694389"},"modified":"2023-06-09T08:47:26","modified_gmt":"2023-06-09T06:47:26","slug":"these-provinces-have-seen-a-big-spike-in-hijackings-in-south-africa-hotspot-areas-and-cars-being-targeted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/lifestyle\/694389\/these-provinces-have-seen-a-big-spike-in-hijackings-in-south-africa-hotspot-areas-and-cars-being-targeted\/","title":{"rendered":"These provinces have seen a big spike in hijackings in South Africa – hotspot areas and cars being targeted"},"content":{"rendered":"

While South Africa has seen a slight decrease in hijackings year-on-year, some provinces experienced a big jump in hijackings – while the month-on-month data shows an upward trend in the number of carjackings.<\/p>\n

Presenting the latest quarterly crime statistics for the second quarter of the year \u2013 1 January to 31 March 2023 \u2013 the South African Police Service (SAPS) noted that 5,119 cars were hijacked over the three-month period.<\/p>\n

This equates to approximately 57 cars being stolen in the country every day.<\/p>\n

While 5,119 hijackings in the first three months of 2023 is a decline of 5.2% compared to the same period in 2022, month-on-month data shows that carjackings increased by 14% over the last month of the fourth quarter to 1,842 in March from 1,614 in February.<\/p>\n

According to the SAPS, two provinces experienced a notable year-on-year increase (>20%) in hijackings \u2013 these being the Northern Cape (37.5%) and North West (23%) \u2013 while the Free State toed the line at 19%.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, Gauteng saw a 12.4% decrease in carjackings, followed by Mpumalanga (-12.2%) and Kwa-Zulu Natal (-1.9%), while the Western Cape saw an increase of 7.4%.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Despite the positive stats for Gauteng,\u00a0carjackings\u00a0are most prevalent in South Africa\u2019s most populous regions, such as Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, and the Western Cape.<\/p>\n

Gauteng saw 2,573 hijackings, representing 50.3% of all carjackings in Q4 2022\/23. Kwa-Zulu Natal experienced 859 carjackings, and the Western Cape saw 624.<\/p>\n

Looking at more granular station data, though, the Western Cape has the most hijackings per region, with Nyanga in the province having the most cases \u2013 and seeing an increase of 93.3% over the last year.<\/p>\n

In Gauteng, Jeppe has the highest reported cases, though Vosloorus has seen a considerable increase, with the number of cases more than doubling.<\/p>\n

The top five hijacking hotspots for the three most populated provinces are listed below.<\/p>\n

Gauteng:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Jeppe<\/li>\n
  2. Moroka<\/li>\n
  3. Midrand<\/li>\n
  4. Sandringham<\/li>\n
  5. Orange Farms<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Kwa-Zulu Natal:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Umlazi<\/li>\n
    2. Mariannhill<\/li>\n
    3. Ntuzuma<\/li>\n
    4. Inanda<\/li>\n
    5. Bhekithemba<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Western Cape:<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Nyanga<\/li>\n
      2. Harare<\/li>\n
      3. Philippi East<\/li>\n
      4. Lingelethu-West<\/li>\n
      5. Samora Machel<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

        Trends to watch out for\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

        Fidelity Services group CEO Wahl Bartmann also noted that hijacking cases had eased slightly within the group\u2019s footprint in the first three months of 2023.<\/p>\n

        However, he added that this does not mean hijackings are no longer at alarming levels, as the group highlighted two prevalent hijacking methods that remain popular for car thieves in 2023.<\/p>\n

        These are driveway hijackings and bogus blue-light cops<\/strong>. These are especially true for truck hijackings, said Bartmann.<\/p>\n

        Victims are easy targets in their driveway as they wait for the gate to open or close, allowing criminals to box them in when entering or exiting their property.<\/p>\n

        Bartmann said if a motorist suspects they are being followed, they should put their indicator on and slow down at least two to three houses before their home.<\/p>\n

        To avoid bogus blue-light cops, Bartmann added that motorists should stay off known routes and highways targeted by these syndicates, especially at night.<\/p>\n

        If stopped by any cop, the executive recommends that motorists turn their lights on bright and activate their hazards to attract the attention of any passers-by.<\/p>\n

        Other notable trends flagged by Cartrack and used by hijackers include:<\/p>\n