KEY POINTS
- South Africa saw a 19.5 percent decline in carjackings in the final quarter of 2024.
- Limpopo reported a remarkable 63% drop in hijacking incidents.
- No-go areas, particularly in townships like Mamelodi and Soshanguve, remain dangerous for motorists.
Motorists, long burdened by the threat of carjackings, received some hopeful news as recent statistics revealed a sharp decline in carjacking incidents in South Africa.
In a report released in February 2025, Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu announced that the country had witnessed a 19.5 percent reduction in carjackings in the final quarter of 2024 compared to the previous year.
According to IOL, this decline provides a glimmer of hope for South Africans, many of whom have long feared the increasing violence on the roads.
Limpopo led the pack, showing a staggering 63 percent decrease in carjacking incidents. Free State followed with a reduction of 50 reported hijackings, while KwaZulu-Natal saw a significant drop of 28.2 percent.
The Western Cape and Mpumalanga provinces also reported declines in their statistics with 18.9 percent and 24.6 percent respectively.
However, Gauteng, South Africa’s economic hub, reported a modest decrease of 14.7 percent. This signals that the hijacking crisis is far from over.
Police release figures but leave gaps in hijacking data
Despite these positive numbers, there is still concern.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has yet to release detailed data on the specific vehicle brands and models most commonly targeted by hijackers.
However, MotorHappy, a local vehicle tracking company, has provided some insight into the issue.
It showed that Toyota Etios, Nissan Almera and Ford Ranger vehicles get frequently targeted because black market demand drives their popularity.
The Road Freight Association also expressed concerns about the rising incidents of vehicle hijacking that specifically targeted e-hailing and courier vehicles. The vehicles regularly transport valuable cargo.
These vehicles have become prime targets, especially as criminals know that e-hailing drivers are often seen as easy prey.
‘No-go’ areas remain despite progress
One ongoing issue in South Africa is the prevalence of “no-go areas” for certain drivers.
These are locations where hijackings are more common. Many drivers, particularly those working in the e-hailing business, are now avoiding specific townships known for high crime rates.
For example, Gauteng’s Mamelodi and Soshanguve have become infamous for hijacking incidents. Most drivers are frequently ambushed under the guise of basic ride requests.
Security companies, including Tshenolo Private Investigations work jointly with police to restore stolen vehicles and find hijackers.
These companies confirm that certain areas, including Eersterust and Mamelodi, are notorious for carjackings.
