Experts have warned that there has been a reemergence of the tap-tap hijacking tactic in South Africa, with criminals bumping into you on purpose with the aim of stealing your vehicle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to car-tracking company Cartrack, criminals may target you by driving behind you and intentionally bumping into your vehicle at a low to moderate speed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is done to get your attention without causing significant damage to the vehicle they plan to steal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you stop and exit the vehicle to assess the damage and exchange insurance information, the hijackers may overpower you and steal your car, leaving you stranded on the roadside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cartrack also reports that hijackers may use a woman as a decoy driver to give their target a false sense of security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The “tap-tap” tactic exploits the South African National Road Traffic Act, which requires drivers to pull over after an accident, regardless of its severity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Arrive Alive, motorists who do not stop after an accident can be prosecuted. If found guilty, they may be fined up to R36,000 or face a prison sentence of up to nine years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this situation, Fidelity Security recommends signalling to the other driver and driving to a busy location before exiting your vehicle. By doing so, you can ensure your safety and assess the situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the accident was not legitimate, the motorists in the other vehicle are unlikely to follow you to a busy location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most recent crime statistics released by the South African Police (SAPS) indicate that carjacking incidents increased by 365 across all nine provinces, reaching a total of 5,973 reported cases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This means that an average of 65 vehicles were reported as hijacked in South Africa every day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similarly, other vehicle-related crimes also saw an increase, with theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles rising by 0.9% to 9,539 incidents, and theft from motor vehicles increasing by 0.5% to 22,288 reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), there has been a significant increase in carjackings in three provinces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These provinces are Gauteng, which experienced a 14.4% increase; the Western Cape, with a 14% increase; and the North West, with an 11% increase. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interestingly, Kwa-Zulu Natal saw a notable decrease of 17.6% in carjackings, while the Eastern Cape experienced a decrease of 5.2%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Carjackings are most prevalent in South Africa’s most densely populated regions, including Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, and the Western Cape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gauteng recorded 3,010 carjackings, constituting 50.4% of all reported incidents, while the Western Cape experienced 856 carjackings, and Kwa-Zulu Natal saw 834.<\/p>\n\n\n\n