Many South African drivers have a sense of fear when it comes to crime. This includes when driving, stopping at a traffic light or stop street, even when pulling into their driveways or stopping to fill their fuel tanks at the petrol station – that fear is driven by the high number of hijackings in the country.
According to Statista, the most hijacked vehicles in South Africa are Toyotas (32% of hijackings), followed by Volkswagen (14% of hijackings).
The most popular Toyota vehicle types to be hijacked are Toyota Hilux, Fortuner, and Etios. When it comes to Volkswagen, the VW Polo coupe, hatchback, and sedans are more likely to be hijacked. The Nissan NP 200 and Ford Ranger also featured prominently on the list.
“In the case of the Toyota Fortuner, Bobby Petkov, the CEO of Mit Mak Motors, says that its engine can fit into other cars which is why it is such a big target.” It acts as a donor.
The official crime statistics showed that 5,488 cars were stolen between April and June 2023, giving us an average of 60 vehicles per day. Monthly data showed that vehicle thefts grew from 1,742 in April to 1,898 in June, an 8.9% increase. Gauteng had the most vehicle hijackings during this period, followed by the Western Cape, and then KwaZulu-Natal in third place. The official crime stats released in November, for the period of 1 July – 30 September 2023, however, show a decrease in car hijackings of 2.3%.
Can South African drivers take some type of action against these frightening statistics?
Here is a full hijacking prevention guide, compiled by Arrive Alive. Some tips from Arrive Alive include:
- 2km from your house strategy. Be extra alert. Switch off the car radio and concentrate on your surroundings.
- Remember to stop your vehicle just on the inside of the gate and select reverse whilst waiting for the gate to close. This creates confusion and may buy you a few seconds for the gate to close completely behind you.
- Check your driveway and street before you leave or enter your premises.
Why does this matter? Hijacking is a serious problem in South Africa, with this risk increasing by the brand and type of vehicle they drive. Drivers need to be vigilant and take precautions where possible when driving in order to protect themselves and preserve their vehicles.
Photo by Daniel Cassey Pahati on Pexels
