WATCH: Attempted Robbery and Hijacking Foiled at Retreat Gas Station

Cape Town – While specific details of a recent attempted hijacking at a gas station in Retreat remain unconfirmed through public reports, the incident highlights the ongoing challenge of vehicle-related crimes in South Africa, where carjackings continue to pose a significant threat despite some recent declines in reported cases.

Car hijackings in South Africa have shown a mixed trend, with the latest official statistics indicating a decrease in incidents. In the first quarter of 2025 (January to March), the South African Police Service (SAPS) recorded 4,533 carjacking cases nationwide, marking a 15.1% reduction compared to 5,338 cases in the same period of 2024. This equates to approximately 50 vehicles hijacked daily during that period. Provinces with the most substantial decreases included Mpumalanga (35.4%), Eastern Cape (32.4%), KwaZulu-Natal (25.7%), and Western Cape (23.5%), while the North West saw a slight 1.2% increase. Gauteng, however, reported a modest 2.7% drop but still accounted for 2,488 incidents, representing about 55% of the national total.

Despite this quarterly decline, hijackings remain a persistent issue, comprising 56% of all vehicle crimes in South Africa, surpassing theft which accounts for 44%. Over the six months ending August 2024, Gauteng alone saw 5,163 hijackings, making up 48% of the country's total, followed by the Western Cape with 1,613 and KwaZulu-Natal with 1,512. A separate analysis showed a 2.5% year-on-year increase in hijackings for the first quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year, underscoring the volatility in trends.

Certain vehicle types and models are disproportionately targeted due to their resale value, durability, and demand for parts. Sedans, hatchbacks, and coupes account for 44.4% of hijacking incidents. The most commonly hijacked vehicles in 2025 include the Toyota Hilux, Volkswagen Polo, Ford Ranger, Toyota Fortuner, Toyota Corolla Cross, Nissan NP200, and Haval Jolion. Bakkies and panel vans are also frequently hit, particularly in high-risk areas like driveways, fast-food drive-throughs, and fake roadblocks.

Hotspots for hijackings are concentrated in urban provinces, with Gauteng leading, followed by KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. Emerging trends include a rise in incidents linked to kidnappings, social media scams via platforms like Facebook Marketplace, and impersonation of police officers. Statistics South Africa estimates that 287,000 individuals experienced hijackings in the past five years.

Authorities and tracking companies emphasize vigilance, recommending that motorists avoid resistance during incidents, remain aware of surroundings, and use vehicle tracking systems to aid recovery. While recent data suggests some progress in curbing the crime, the high volume of cases indicates that hijackings persist as a major public safety concern in South Africa.