[imagesource:discovery]

There are just over 10 vehicle brands and models in the crosshairs of hijackers across South Africa.

Security groups and insurers have highlighted these cars over the course of last year and the first half of 2024 to bring to the public’s attention, as hijacking ramps up in the country.

South African Police Services (SAPS) data shows that 66 cars are hijacked every day, representing an increase of 34% over pre-pandemic levels, per BusinessTech.

Around half of all hijackings occur in Gauteng, followed by the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, with about 14% of cases each. However, these statistics are only for hijackings involving some sort of violence or coercion against the driver.

Total vehicle thefts are around 10,000 per quarter or about 40,000 annually.

SAPS’ data aligns with Fidelity Services Group’s experience, which noted that a spike in hijackings would occur at the beginning of this year. Fidelity highlighted that vehicle hijackings are largely a business driven by demand and supply.

“Hijackers target specific vehicles for a specific purpose and market. The demand for Toyotas, VWs, Fords, and Nissans remains high on the black market,” it said.

Meanwhile, other stakeholders, such as Tracker and insurer Naked, have warned that hijackers target cars built for Africa’s roads, which is why bakkies are often the target.

Naked founder Ernie North emphasised that the availability of parts significantly influences a vehicle’s attractiveness to thieves, which is why Toyota is so heavily targeted, as it is popular across Africa allowing a wider spread of availability of its parts.

Fidelity confirmed that approximately 30% of all stolen and hijacked vehicles last year were taken across the border into neighbouring countries.

In fact, SAPS just recently announced that it had intel about a syndicate that allegedly hijacked and stole vehicles from South Africa and transported them to Eswatini. The authorities ransacked a house in Kibler Park, south of Johannesburg, where four vehicles were recovered, including a Toyota Fortuner that was reportedly hijacked in Jeppe, an Isuzu bakkie that was reportedly hijacked in Heidelberg, a BMW that was tampered with, and a Land Rover Discovery.

These are the 13 vehicles (listed in alphabetic order) that are considered as ‘high-risk’ for hijacking in South Africa in 2024, according to the latest reports from Fidelity and other stakeholders.

1. BMW 3 Series
2. Ford Ranger
3. Hyundai i20
4. Nissan NP200
5. Toyota Corolla Cross
6. Toyota Corolla
7. Toyota Etios
8. Toyota Fortuner (GD6 and D4D)
9. Toyota Hilux (GD6 and D4D)
10. Toyota Prados
11. Toyota Land Cruisers
12. Toyota RAV 4
13. VW Polo (especially hatchbacks).

Obviously, while these cars are listed as having a higher risk of being targeted by criminals, no vehicles are immune from the scourge of theft or hijacking attempts in South Africa.

Hijacking can happen anywhere and at any time, so the best response is to be alert and aware of any suspicious activity near and around you.

[source:businesstech]