Armed Hijackers in eThekwini Seek Telephonic Guidance from Suspected Tracking Company Insider to Disable Vehicle Tracker.

In a brazen hijacking incident in the eThekwini area of KwaZulu-Natal, three armed suspects targeted a 44-year-old driver at the R102/Ottawa traffic lights around 18:30 on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The men approached the victim’s stationary white Nissan NP200 bakkie, pointed firearms at him, and forcibly removed him from the driver’s seat before entering the vehicle themselves. An unidentified vehicle followed behind as they drove off with the victim still inside.

The suspects held the victim at gunpoint for approximately two hours while driving around the area. Their primary objective was to locate and remove the vehicle’s tracking device. They eventually proceeded to the Hazelmere area in KZN, where they reported a stronger cellular signal, and placed multiple calls to a man believed to be an employee or installer associated with a vehicle tracking company.

According to the victim, the individual on the phone asked detailed questions about the vehicle’s make and model. He then provided step-by-step instructions, directing the hijackers to inspect specific locations inside the vehicle and remove interior panels where the tracking unit might have been installed. The victim, who overheard the conversations, formed the belief that the caller had insider knowledge consistent with someone employed by or closely associated with a tracking company.

The Nissan NP200 is among vehicles frequently targeted in hijackings in South Africa, particularly white models, due to factors including high demand for parts and their prevalence on roads even after discontinuation.

Before releasing the victim, the suspects robbed him of R600 in cash and his cellular phone. They abandoned him on the roadside. The stolen white Nissan NP200, bearing registration DJ78PPZN, has not been recovered. Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) responded to the scene following the report.

This incident highlights ongoing challenges in vehicle security in the region, where hijackers employ sophisticated methods, including collaboration with individuals who possess technical knowledge of tracking systems. Vehicle tracking companies and law enforcement continue efforts to counter such threats through improved installation practices, employee vetting, and rapid response protocols. No arrests have been reported in connection with this specific hijacking at the time of reporting.

The victim was left unharmed physically beyond the trauma of the ordeal but deprived of immediate means of communication. Authorities are investigating the matter, including the possibility of internal complicity within the tracking industry. Members of the public with information are encouraged to contact local police or security response units.