[Image: LinkedIn]
South Africans, brace yourselves – shopping malls are turning into prime hunting grounds for criminals, with smartphone snatching, remote car jamming, and even follow-home attacks on the rise in 2025.
And the numbers back it up. Data from the South African Police Service (SAPS) paints a grim picture: in the last three months of 2024 alone, there were 12,412 robberies and thefts at commercial premises – that’s a staggering 138 incidents per day.
Add to that 4,807 hijackings and 7,791 car thefts, and you’re looking at 140 vehicle-related crimes daily, although not all occurred at shopping malls.
Gauteng, the Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal – home to the country’s biggest malls – are the hardest hit, with Gauteng leading in commercial crime cases.
These crimes thrive on distraction. One moment you’re checking a message, the next, your phone’s in a thief’s hand. Or worse – you return to your car, only to find it emptied out, with no sign of forced entry.
“Whether you’re dining out, waiting for an e-hailing ride, or just strolling through a shopping centre, criminals strike when you least expect it,” warns Charnel Hattingh, Group Head of Marketing & Communications at Fidelity Services Group.
And if you think clicking your remote guarantees your car is locked, think again.
“Thieves use remote jamming devices to block your car from locking,” Hattingh explains. “You walk away assuming it’s secure, only to come back and find your belongings gone—without a trace of forced entry.”
But wait, there’s more. Fidelity warns that “follow-home” attacks are still a major threat. Criminals are watching, and if they see you leaving a store with high-end shopping bags, you might just have an unwanted escort back home – only they’re not there to help with your groceries.
How to Outsmart the Criminals
Fidelity ADT has shared key tips to avoid becoming a target, per BusinessTech:
- Plan your route – Avoid dimly lit or isolated areas and try to be home before dark.
- Stay alert – Keep earphones out and pay attention to your surroundings.
- Wait in safe areas – Use well-lit, busy locations for e-hailing services and keep your phone out of sight.
- Keep valuables hidden – Store your phone in a bag or inside a jacket pocket.
- Shop in pairs – Criminals are less likely to target groups.
- Report all incidents – Even attempted thefts helps law enforcement track crime patterns.
- Physically check your car doors – Always pull the handle to confirm they’re locked.
- Stay aware in parking areas – Watch for loitering individuals or suspicious activity.
- Park smartly – Choose well-lit, high-traffic areas with visible security.
- Be discreet with valuables – Keep an eye on who’s watching when you open your boot.
- Keep items out of sight – Laptops, handbags, and valuables should be hidden.
- Prioritise safety over convenience – Park near security guards when possible.
- Consider vehicle tracking – A GPS tracker adds an extra layer of security.
Bottom line? Keep your head up, stay alert, and don’t give criminals an easy payday.
[Source: BusinessTech]
