6 Car Hijacking Tips to Keep Children Safe

6 Practical Tips for Parents to Keep Kids Safe During a Car Hijacking 

South Africa sees a lot of crime reports each year, and unfortunately, much of it is due to hijacking. What people don’t realise is that crime trends, such as hijacking, will continue for several reasons. The SAPS have published recent crime statistics, noting that fewer hijackings happened between October and December 2025 when compared to previous years. 

Unfortunately, more often than not, some areas are far more prone to certain crime trends, especially hijacking. Areas reported to experience high volumes of car hijacks start in the very busy city centre of Gauteng, more than any other province in the country.  

The most important point to focus on in this article is safety and precaution, especially when it comes to your children. Always prepare for potential scenarios by following tips and techniques designed for traumatic experiences like a hijacking. 

Most Hijacked Cars in South Africa

The South African Police Service reported over 4,000 car hijacking cases from October to December 2025, an average of 48 cars hijacked each day, noting a slight decline compared to 2024. However, not all cases are reported, and numbers are likely higher than those collected. 

According to the Victim of Crime Survey (VOC), roughly 23% of all hijackings are not reported.

However, for the cars that are reported hijacked, here’s what’s becoming every criminal's favourite target: 

1. Toyota Hilux
2. VW Polo
3. Ford Ranger
4. Toyota Corolla Cross and Quest
5. Nissan NP200
6. Toyota Fortuner
7. Hyundai Grand i10
8. Isuzu D-Max
9. BMW X3 Series
10. Toyota Quantum 

Believe it or not, they even have a favourite colour, check it out: What are the most hijacked vehicle colours?

Why Do Carjackers Target These Cars? 

There are essentially three reasons why criminals target specific vehicles. 

• The more cars on the road that are in demand, the bigger the black market and the need for those cars. 
• Blending into traffic is crucial, giving criminals an opportunity to escape and stay hidden in plain sight.
• A lot of vehicles make their way across the border as they’re favoured in neighbouring countries. 

Hijacking Hotspots

Hijacking hotspots are areas where most hijackings occur, and one province is seeing far more of these spots than the rest of the country – Gauteng. 

Gauteng & Johannesburg Hotspots

• Pretoria West, Kempton Park, Alexandra, Mamelodi East, Honeydew, Cleveland, Sandringham, Sunnyside, Soshanguve, and Jeppe. 

Cape Town Hotspots

• Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Delft, and Gugulethu.

Durban Hotspots 

• Umlazi, Inanda, KwaMashu, and Pinetown.

How to Keep Your Kids Safe During a Hijacking 

Keeping your children safe in high-stress situations is super crucial, but it also comes with some risks, so be sure to follow the guidelines recommended by tracking experts like Car Track and Matrix: 

   - Stay calm and follow instructions: Take control of your emotions. Listen carefully, follow instructions, and avoid unnecessary interactions with little panic or sudden movements. 

   - Leave everything: focus on your child/children. Focus on your kids and avoid wasting time on trying to grab your possessions.

   - Make sure your hands are visible: Keep them up and in sight, and avoid reaching for anything unless instructed. 

   - Strategic child placement: Place your child behind your front passenger seat, which allows you to quickly remove the child’s car seat safety belt and save time getting out of the car safely.  

   - Communicate calmly:  Don’t raise your voice in these situations and avoid facing the hijackers directly. Tell them that you have a child with you and ask permission to get them out safely. 

   - Have a support plan in place: While losing your vehicle can be traumatic and frustrating to deal with at a later stage, having a backup plan, like a car tracking system, will save you a lot of grief. 

Best Anti-Hijack System

You can choose a company that offers one specific service or several. Depending on your budget, having some sort of anti-hijack system is better than nothing. Look at companies that offer products and services such as:

• Early warning systems via a mobile app.
• A GPS tracking system that provides real-time updates.
• Vehicle recovery support.

Having security is about protecting yourself and your loved ones. Don’t skimp out on the basics, especially if you have or plan to take out Car Insurance. 

The Bottom Line 

Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that we never see coming or have no control over, and it's important that we react calmly. Safety on the roads is not just about driving with others; it’s about keeping an eye on your surroundings and applying the basic practices mentioned, no matter what province you’re in. 

By following these tips and techniques, not only have you bettered your chances of getting out safely, but you’re ensuring the safety of your children.