Car hijackings remain a persistent and violent crime in South Africa, directly endangering motorists and their passengers on a daily basis. According to the latest South African Police Service crime statistics for the fourth quarter of 2025 (October to December), 4,420 carjackings were reported nationally. This equates to an average of nearly 48 vehicles hijacked each day.
While this figure reflects an 8.1% decrease compared to the same period in 2024, the overall volume stays alarmingly high. Over the 2024/2025 financial year, approximately 102,000 people were affected by carjackings.
Gauteng province accounts for the majority of incidents, recording 2,544 hijackings in Q4 2025 — more than half of the national total. Other provinces with notable figures include KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, while the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga have emerged as growing risk areas.
Common Targets and Patterns
Sedans, hatchbacks, and coupes are the most frequently hijacked vehicle types, comprising around 44% of incidents. Bakkies and panel vans follow at approximately 33%. Popular models such as the Toyota Hilux, Volkswagen Polo Vivo, Toyota Fortuner, and Ford Ranger are often targeted due to their resale value or demand for parts.
Hijackings frequently occur during peak vulnerability windows, with recent peaks on Tuesdays between 16:00 and 21:00. Business-owned vehicles face elevated risks, being roughly twice as likely to be hijacked as private ones in some analyses.
Hotspots are concentrated in urban and peri-urban areas. In Gauteng, areas such as Ivory Park, Mamelodi East, Alexandra, Moroka, and Orange Farms report high volumes. Similar concentrations appear in Cape Town townships like Philippi East, Harare, and Nyanga, as well as various areas in KwaZulu-Natal. Highways and major routes, including corridors between Gauteng and other provinces, also see elevated activity.
Risks to Innocent Citizens
Hijackings pose immediate physical dangers to drivers and passengers, often involving armed perpetrators who use threats or force to seize vehicles. Victims report experiences ranging from being ordered out at gunpoint to more violent confrontations. While many incidents end with the loss of the vehicle, resistance or perceived threats can escalate to serious injury or fatalities.
Beyond immediate trauma, hijackings contribute to broader psychological impacts on victims and communities, including heightened fear and anxiety while driving or commuting. A notable portion of incidents may go unreported, indicating the true scale could exceed official figures.
Organised criminal syndicates often drive these crimes, using hijacked vehicles for further criminal activity, export, or stripping for parts. This sustains a cycle that keeps the risk elevated for ordinary citizens going about daily routines such as commuting to work, running errands, or traveling with family.
Ongoing Context
Consistent quarterly numbers — often in the 4,000–5,000 range per quarter — underscore that hijackings affect thousands of innocent South Africans annually, disrupting lives and eroding public confidence in road safety.
Motorists in high-risk provinces and areas must remain vigilant as part of daily routines while authorities and private security initiatives continue to monitor trends.
OTHER NEWS
Clare Estate Armed Robbery Suspect Fatally Shot During Early-Morning Police Operation
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal – An armed robbery suspect was killed in a shootout with police in the Clare Estate area on Thursday, 7 May 2026.
Members of the Sydenham SAPS Trio Task Team were conducting a search for the suspect in the Palmiet Road informal settlement when they came under fire. The confrontation resulted in the suspect being fatally wounded.
The deceased, known only as “Mkhwanazi”, was wanted in connection with various armed robberies in the broader area and is believed to have been a local gang leader. One firearm was recovered at the scene.
Reports indicate that Mkhwanazi allegedly opened fire on the police team first, after which officers returned fire, leading to his death at the scene. No injuries to police officers were reported.
The Sydenham SAPS Trio Task Team specialises in tackling trio crimes, including house robberies, business robberies, and vehicle hijackings. This operation aligns with ongoing efforts to address violent crime in the Clare Estate and surrounding Durban communities, particularly in informal settlements where armed criminal activity has been prevalent.
Investigations into the incident are continuing, and authorities are expected to release further details, including confirmation of the suspect’s full identity and any additional links to other cases.
Source: Dasen Thathiah
Tragic Death in Knysna Storm: 37-Year-Old Woman Killed by Falling Tree
On Wednesday, 6 May 2026, a 37-year-old woman died in Knysna when a large tree crashed onto her vehicle amid severe stormy weather conditions affecting the Garden Route region of South Africa’s Western Cape.
The incident occurred at approximately 07:50 at the corner of Main Road (N2) and Queen Street, near the Knysna Police Station. Emergency services responded to the scene where the woman was found trapped inside her vehicle. She was declared deceased on scene, and her body was recovered around 11:00. Southern Cape police confirmed that an inquest docket was opened.
The victim has been identified as Lauren Fredericks, a social auxiliary worker with the Western Cape Department of Social Development. She joined the Knysna office in August 2021 and was actively involved in the office’s disaster management response team. At the time of the incident, Fredericks was on duty, travelling to conduct assessments of residents who had been evacuated due to the adverse weather. She had stopped her vehicle shortly before the tree fell.
Western Cape Minister of Social Development Jaco Londt expressed deep sadness over the loss. He noted that Ms Fredericks had a love for community work and was part of the office’s disaster management response team. Thoughts were extended to her family, particularly her young son, as well as her friends and colleagues during this difficult time. The Minister also acknowledged the ongoing efforts of frontline workers supporting vulnerable residents amid the storm.
Police confirmed that no other occupants were in the vehicle. Social media rumours of a baby being present in the car were dismissed. A section of the road was closed for clearance operations, with traffic expected to normalise later in the day.
The tragedy occurred against the backdrop of intense stormy weather across the Garden Route. The region experienced heavy rainfall, strong winds, and associated hazards such as flooding and fallen trees. Areas including Knysna and Plettenberg Bay were among the hardest hit. In Plettenberg Bay, the Piesang Valley River burst its banks, leading to evacuations and the use of community halls for temporary accommodation.
Officials reported damage to infrastructure, including sewer pump stations and parts of the water system. Engineering teams worked to restore services. Widespread unplanned power outages affected areas like Plettenberg Bay and Oudtshoorn, with restoration efforts delayed due to hazardous conditions.
Weather warnings had highlighted risks from wind gusts reaching up to 56 km/h, increasing the danger of falling trees and debris. Authorities advised the public to avoid parking under large trees and to exercise caution on roads, many of which were flooded, slippery, or inaccessible. Additional rainfall of 30 to 50 mm was forecast for eastern parts of the district, with conditions expected to persist.
Broader severe weather impacts included significant rainfall totals exceeding 200 mm in some Garden Route areas, river overflows, road closures, and widespread disruptions to daily life. Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel.
This incident highlights the dangers posed by extreme weather events, particularly falling trees during high winds and heavy rain. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident continue as the community mourns the loss of a dedicated public servant.
