Several cases also noted an increase in kidnappings with the aim of getting cash from the victim<\/strong> as well as stealing their vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The hijackers drive around for hours, forcing the victim to go and draw as much money as they possibly can, Bartmann said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Fidelity head advised the public to always be aware of their surroundings and look out for any vehicles that may be following them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMost hijackings target victims at, or close to, their residences and places of work,\u201d said Bartmann.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “If (drivers) suspect they are being followed, they should drive to the closest police station immediately or at least to a busy centre where other people are around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDo not offer any resistance during a hijacking. Remember that perpetrators are always armed and would not hesitate to fire when confronted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n “Additional perpetrators may stand out of view and fire should you fight back,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Insurance companies have also warned of incidents happening at or close to home. MiWay Insurance Executive Head Youlon Naidoo recently noted that an estimated 71% of car hijackings occur in residential driveways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Insurers like Santam have tried to counteract criminal behaviour by encouraging motorists to take proactive measures – such as doubling up on vehicle trackers, discussing tech-linked weaknesses with vehicle manufacturers, and promoting Faraday pouches to prevent the cloning of keyless access signals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, due to the compounding efforts to combat hijackings in the country, the hijackers themselves are coming up with ways to counteract these measures, Bartmann said – hence the rise in kidnappings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Targetted vehicles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Fidelity, vehicles under the Toyota, VW, Ford, and Nissan brands continue to be common targets among criminals, and the specific models include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to these cars, utility vehicles and cargo trucks are also in high demand, which includes the increasing popularity of the Hyundai H100.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Statista confirmed this data, showing that Toyota was the most frequently hijacked car brand in South Africa in 2023. Approximately 32% of all reported car hijackings involved a Toyota vehicle, while Volkswagen accounted for around 14% of hijacking cases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s worth noting that Toyota and Volkswagen are also the most popular car brands among South African motorists, and, as Bartmann explained, vehicle hijackings in the country are largely a business driven by supply and demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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