In the fourth quarter of 2025, spanning October to December, South Africa recorded 4,420 carjacking incidents, marking an 8.1% decrease from the 4,807 cases reported in the same period of 2024. This equates to an average of 48 vehicles hijacked daily across the country. Despite the national decline, Gauteng province accounted for 2,544 of these cases, representing more than half of all reported hijackings and maintaining its status as the primary hotspot. Other provinces experienced varying reductions, with the Eastern Cape showing the largest drop at nearly 31%, followed by Mpumalanga at 20.5%, the Western Cape at 16.9%, Limpopo with 18 fewer incidents, and KwaZulu-Natal at 10.7%.
Within Gauteng, specific police precincts reported the highest numbers of hijackings. Mamelodi East in Tshwane saw 82 cases, up from 59 the previous year, making it the national leader in carjackings. Other prominent Gauteng hotspots include Ivory Park, Akasia, Jabulani, Moroka, Olievenhoutbosch, Pretoria West, Sandringham, Vosloorus, and Tembisa. In the Western Cape, key areas encompass Nyanga, Delft, Lingelethu West, Mfuleni, Harare, and Philippi East, with the province recording 694 incidents in the third quarter of the 2024/2025 period. KwaZulu-Natal hotspots consist of Durban Central, Umlazi, Bhekithemba, and Inanda, totaling 599 cases in the same quarter. Emerging high-risk zones include Mpumalanga, particularly eMalahleni (Witbank), and the Eastern Cape, where hijackings have shown rapid growth, with a 4:1 hijacking-to-theft ratio indicating organized crime involvement.
Hijackings frequently occur in everyday settings that require routine civilian presence. Residential driveways, traffic lights, shopping centre parking areas, quiet suburban streets, and petrol stations are common locations for these incidents. Data indicates that most hijackings take place on Fridays between 4pm and 9pm, with a noted shift toward daytime and business-hour attacks in recent years. In urban centres such as Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, and Cape Town, criminals often target vehicles at or near residences and places of work. For instance, in Gauteng’s Ivory Park, the high population density and traffic congestion along transit corridors between Midrand and Tembisa facilitate hijackings.
The persistence of these hotspots necessitates ongoing vigilance from South African residents in their daily routines. In the first quarter of 2025, national hijackings totaled 4,533, down 15.1% from the previous year, yet still averaging about 50 vehicles per day. Provinces like Gauteng, with 2,605 cases in the first quarter of 2024/2025, highlight the concentrated risk in populated areas. Tracker’s crime data for January to June 2025 shows Mpumalanga as an increasing hotspot for business-owned vehicles, which are 48% more likely to be targeted than personal cars. In the Eastern Cape, an 8:1 hijacking-to-theft ratio underscores the prevalence of violent takeovers in early 2025.
Residents in hotspots like Mamelodi East, where hijackings rose 80% from 36 in 2024 to 65 in 2025, must maintain heightened awareness during commutes and at home. Nationally, around 222,000 households experienced motor vehicle theft in the past five years, with a 2.5% year-on-year increase in hijackings reported in some periods. In Gauteng’s Midrand, Honeydew, and Roodepoort, the highest numbers of hijackings were recorded in early 2025, affecting access to commercial and residential zones. Specific intersections in Pretoria, such as the corners of Kelvin Street and CR Swart, Pretoria Road and CR Swart, and Elgin Road and Pretoria Road, are identified as recurrent sites.
These statistics reflect the ongoing need for civilians to adapt their behaviors in high-risk areas, with Gauteng districts dominating 21 of the top 30 national stations for carjackings.
In the third quarter of 2025, murder, carjacking, and kidnapping rates highlighted Gauteng and the Western Cape as the most affected regions. Overall, four provinces—Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Mpumalanga—bear the highest hijacking pressure, with an average of 50 daily incidents nationwide in recent quarters.
Learners Injured in Dawn Park Minibus Collision Involving Scholar Transport
Dawn Park, Ekurhuleni – A collision between a minibus carrying school learners and another vehicle occurred at a bustling intersection in Dawn Park during the morning commute on Tuesday, resulting in injuries to several children.
Ekurhuleni metropolitan authorities confirmed that their emergency response teams and traffic officers arrived quickly at the scene. Metro police personnel were present at the location prior to the incident, managing traffic signals amid heavy flow.
The minibus, which was en route from Leondale to Katlehong, was involved in the crash that prompted an immediate call for medical assistance. Injured learners received prompt attention from paramedics and were transported to local medical facilities for care. Among those hurt, one child sustained serious injuries, according to initial reports.
The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department emphasized the importance of road safety, particularly during peak hours, and advised drivers to remain vigilant. An investigation into the factors contributing to the accident is currently underway.
As of now, the Gauteng Department of Education has not released any official comments on the matter. Officials from Ekurhuleni indicated that further details will be shared once a complete assessment of all involved learners is finalized.
Fatal Shootout in Inanda: Police Eliminate Two Dangerous Suspects in KwaZulu-Natal
Durban, March 10, 2026 – In a high-stakes confrontation, law enforcement officers in KwaZulu-Natal engaged in a firefight that resulted in the deaths of two suspects in the Inanda area earlier today. The incident unfolded as police teams closed in on the individuals, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
Authorities recovered two firearms from the scene following the shootout. One of the deceased has been identified as a key figure connected to more than ten homicide investigations, with ties to a killing that occurred just this past weekend. The second suspect was his associate, and both are suspected of belonging to a well-known criminal syndicate operating in the region.
The encounter took place in the Mzomusha section of Inanda, where the suspects were cornered by a coordinated police effort. This operation highlighted the dangers faced by officers in combating organized crime in high-risk zones.
The joint action involved multiple specialized units from the South African Police Service (SAPS), including the Provincial Tracing Team, the Inanda SAPS Task Team, the Sydenham SAPS Trio Task Team, and SAPS KZN Crime Intelligence. Support was also provided by private security firm SA Tactical Enforcement, demonstrating a collaborative approach to tackling violent offenders.
This event underscores ongoing efforts by KZN police to address gang-related violence and murder rates in communities like Inanda, where such groups have instilled fear among residents. No officers were reported injured during the operation.
Drunk Pedestrian Injured in Vehicle Collision on Oakford Road
Oakford, KZN – A 36-year-old man was injured after being struck by a vehicle while crossing Oakford Road in Oakford, KwaZulu-Natal.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) personnel arrived at the scene following reports of the incident. Upon assessment, they determined that the pedestrian had been hit by a blue Ford Fiesta.
Allegations indicate that the man was intoxicated with alcohol during the event. He suffered head injuries as a result of the collision.
The injured individual was taken to a hospital via private transport for medical treatment.
No injuries were reported among the people in the Ford Fiesta.
Tragic Death of Young Cancer Survivor in Ekurhuleni Home
Wattville, Ekurhuleni – A 10-year-old boy, Tshepang Lihlabi, was found dead in his family home on Sigcawu Street after suffering a fatal throat wound. The incident occurred on March 5, 2026, when Tshepang returned from school.
Tshepang had overcome cancer two years earlier through surgery and chemotherapy. He was known as an intelligent student who served as a public speaker at his school and played soccer for Millerni United FC in Wattville.
His mother, Puseletso Mochesane, who works as a general assistant at the same school, had spoken with him shortly before he left for soccer practice that day. She was later summoned home due to an emergency and discovered her son’s body in his bedroom, surrounded by blood. Bloodstains were also present on the kitchen fridge door and carpet.
A 32-year-old man, identified as Tshepang’s half-brother, was arrested at the scene while in possession of a bloodstained knife. Police reported that the suspect attempted to seize Tshepang’s sister following the attack, but she managed to escape and alert others by screaming outside.
Tshepang’s father, Thabo Lihlabi, noted that the suspect had been a trusted relative within the family. He observed that the man’s eyes appeared unusually intense after the event.
Authorities from Actonville Police Station opened a murder investigation upon arriving at the home, where they confirmed the visible injury to the boy’s throat. Police spokesperson Captain Neldah Sekgobobela stated that the suspect is set to appear in court on a murder charge.
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Five Men Arrested on N1 Highway in Western Cape Police Operation
Cape Town, South Africa – In a coordinated police operation on the N1 highway, five men were arrested on charges related to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, as well as possession of suspected stolen property.
The arrests occurred on Friday, March 6, 2026. At approximately 16:00, members of the Garden Route and Central Karoo Crime Intelligence, Central Karoo Flying Squad, and K9 units stopped a Toyota Starlet rental vehicle near Prince Albert in the Central Karoo. The vehicle had three occupants. A search revealed a 9mm pistol, an imitation firearm, 48 rounds of ammunition in various calibers, and an undisclosed amount of cash. The three men were arrested on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Approximately one hour later, at 17:00, Breede River K9 members intercepted another Toyota Starlet rental vehicle at the entrance to Paarl. This vehicle had two occupants. A search uncovered an undisclosed amount of cash, which the occupants could not account for. The two men were arrested on charges of possession of suspected stolen property.
The five suspects, aged between 38 and 50, were traveling from the Eastern Cape to Cape Town. Both vehicles were seized by police. The cash is suspected to have been stolen during earlier robberies, and the circumstances surrounding the incidents remain under investigation.
The suspects are currently in custody and are expected to appear in court once formally charged. Additional charges may be added as the investigation progresses.
Western Cape police management commended the officers involved for their collaborative efforts in apprehending the suspects and recovering the items.
