New Car Hijacking Trends in South Africa

New Car Hijacking Trends Emerge in South Africa 

While the crime rate may seem higher than normal, it’s not something to panic over.  Tracker has highlighted emerging hijacking trends across the country. Crime data reveal how hijackings and thefts have changed over time, and while vehicles can be hijacked or stolen any day of the week, there are new nationwide trends worth remembering. 

Based on reports and the first quarter of 2025 alone, most hijackings occurred on Thursdays between 16:00 and 21:00. From July to December, hijackings were reported to peak on Tuesdays, between 16:00 and 21:00. However, crime data have shown changes over the past few months. 

The theft of private vehicles operates differently from that of business vehicles. In fact, private passenger vehicles are most likely to be stolen on weekends at 11:00 and 16:00, and hijacked on Wednesdays between 16:00 and 21:00. As for business vehicles, these are most likely to be stolen or hijacked on Fridays between 11:00 and 21:00. 

Hijacking Hotspots 

Getting to know where all the hotspots are will help you and others familiarise yourself and determine how cautious you need to be when visiting or driving through these spots. 

The most reported places popular with hijackings across South Africa are: driveways at home; Intersections; traffic lights; parking at shopping centres; petrol garages, and quiet streets. Also, driving anywhere at night time, during peak traffic, and quiet areas requires extra caution from motorists across the country. 

Side note: When you’re distracted, criminals take the opportunity, especially in scenarios where you’re unable to escape easily. 

Looking at SAPS figures, in just three months, over 4,500 hijackings were reported. This translates to around 50 cars being hijacked every day. One of the highest hijacking hotspots as far as we know is Gauteng, followed closely by Durban, and Cape Town.

Eugene Herbert, CEO of Masterdrive, has left a warning for motorists that aren’t making themselves aware of the risks. He told the Cape Times, “The most important thing to understand is that no person, vehicle or area is immune to carjacking risk. Falling into complacency because your vehicle is not on the list or you seldom frequent high-risk areas is your biggest vulnerability.” 

That said, here’s what you need to know about the crime reports that represent the hijacking numbers:

Gauteng Hotspots: Johannesburg and Pretoria

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

Durban and KwaZulu-Natal Hotspots

• Umlazi
• Pinetown
• KwaMashu
• Inanda 
• Bhekithemba
• Marianhill
• Durban Cental 

The South African Police Service have noted that townships make up most of the carjacking reports, preceded by suburban areas, and then rural areas.

Cape Town Hotspots

Car hijackings are pretty high in the Western Cape, especially with the N2 towards Cape Town International Airport, known to be one of the most dangerous to locals. 

Most of the vehicle crimes that occur in the City of Cape Town pose incredible risk to motorists in the following areas:

• Nyanga
• Gugulethu
• Delft
• Khayelitsha

2026 Risk Report: Most Hijacked Cars in SA

With help from the SAPS and industry recovery data, we were able to break down the most hijacked and stolen vehicles for 2026. In no particular order, the the car list is as follows: 

1. Nissan NP200
2. Suzuki Ertiga
3. Toyota Hilux
4. VW Polo and Polo Vivo
5. Toyota Corolla Cross
6. Ford Ranger

Hijacking Techniques

During peak hours, there are two methods that have become popular with criminals: 

• The box-in method: used during peak traffic hours from 16:00 - 19:00.
• The fender-bender method: any bump or motion to get you out of the car.

When it gets to quieter hours, there are three tactics used:

• Damage ‘control’: Criminals operate late at night (between 22:00 and 4:00) and will use various items like spikes, nails, or rocks to get you to stop. 
• Follow-home: Motorists are followed from one location to home: shopping malls, schools, work, or airports. 
• Distractions: This tactic is used to get you out of your vehicle or lose focus. This could include needing “fake” assistance, selling items, etc. 
• Fake police: Police impersonators will lure drivers in pretending to be law enforcement and use your trust to get what they want. 

The moral of the story is to keep your wits about you and stay focused wherever you go. Be aware of your surroundings and keep police or someone you know on speed dial if you feel something is off. 

6 Essential Safety Tips for Motorists 

1. Don’t be complacent. Always be aware of your surroundings, whether it’s a long or short car trip. 
2. Keep your valuables hidden at all times. If you have to use your phone, invest in hands-free devices or tools. 
3. Install a tracking device. Even if your car gets stolen, it gives you a good chance of recovery. If you’re not sure what to look for, check out our article: The best car tracking device you can buy. 
4. Make sure you lock your car and check the locking system. 
5. Plan your trips accordingly. 
6. Keep enough distance between your car and the car in front of you. This gives you enough space and time to escape if a situation escalates. 

If you’re someone who drives an older car, there are several things you can do to ensure your vehicle is properly protected. Take a look here: Why older cars need more protection. 

Not to mention, regular car servicing will keep it in good shape so that you don’t end up stranded or broken down in a questionable area. Little did you know that maintenance can do many things in addition to keeping you on the road. 

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re a good driver or not, being aware of your surroundings is essential to yours and others safety. The idea is not to cause panic or raise alarms, but to make you aware of risks that we all face on a daily basis. It’s also important to make use of this information to help protect you rather than have you become a victim. 

Don’t forget to share this information with others.