Common Hijacking Tactics in SA and How to Avoid Them

TL;DR – Our version of “I’m not reading all that, *SparkNotes pls.”

Hijacking incidents have long been the cause of much stress, anxiety and fear for many South African drivers. A Victims of Crime 2023/24 report by the Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey found that hijacking is listed among the most threatening crimes in South Africa, with a 2,5% increase from the previous year.

Now, an alarming criminal tactic is making an unwelcome comeback—road spikes.

Would-be carjackers have resorted to using spikes to puncture car tyres, forcing motorists to stop and inspect the damage. Naturally, this leaves unsuspecting drivers vulnerable to robbery, assault, or hijacking.

Protect your car from the unexpected – explore our car insurance plans today!

Common Hijacking Tactics in South Africa

Hijackers use some of the oldest tricks in the book to finesse drivers out of their vehicles.

Some common hijacking tactics in South Africa include following drivers home, impersonating police officers or forcing motorists off the road through sheer force, like ramming into your car, or cunning wit—perpetrators will hit you with the, “Excuse me, something’s wrong with your tyre” and pounce when stop to inspect your vehicle.

So, watch out for these 5 common carjacking strategies; they could be the reason you go from sitting pretty in the driver’s seat to requesting rides or, worse, pedestrian-ing:

1. Spiking the road. Criminals usually work in pairs or small groups to strategically place spikes to deflate your car’s tyres and then exploit the immobilised vehicle.
2. Online car-buying scams. Using Facebook Marketplace, criminals post fake listings or simply pretend to buy from you only to then rob you of your vehicle!
3. Distractions. Schools and petrol stations aren’t safe either; criminals may distract you while you’re filling up or paying, or at schools when dropping off/picking up children when the driver is usually distracted by chaos and commotion.
4. Impersonating law enforcement. By donning the SAPS’s easily recognisable uniform or posing as members of the Metropolitan Police Department and placing flashing blue lights on top of their cars, carjackers have fooled the public into pulling over.
5. Faking an emergency. Hijackers are even known to stage a fake car breakdown or an injury only to ambush well-meaning drivers who stop to offer help.
6. Pummeling your car with junk. Hijackers might throw paint or food onto your car. Using your wipers will smudge the junk all over the windscreen, forcing you to stop because you cannot see it, which gives them an opening to jump you.

These incidents can happen anywhere, but it’s important to be extra vigilant in certain areas and at specific times of the day.

High-Risk Hijacking Areas and Times

South Africa is a gorgeous country with plenty of beautiful sights to see. But you might need to keep your eyes peeled just a bit more when travelling through the following areas.

Here are the top high-risk areas in South Africa according to the South African Police Services (SAPS) crime statistics for the fourth quarter of 2023/24 and the first quarter of 2024/25:

1. Ivory Park (Gauteng)
2. Phillipi East (Western Cape)
3. Harare (Western Cape)
4. Nyanga (Western Cape)
5. Moroka (Gauteng)
6. Loate (Gauteng)
7. Orange Farms (Gauteng)
8. Eldorado Park (Gauteng)
9. Thembisa (Gauteng)
10. Jabulani (Gauteng)

The same report indicated that approximately 65 vehicles are hijacked daily in South Africa!

An article by The South African, who was quoting The National Hijack Prevention Academy, reported that most vehicles are hijacked on Tuesdays and Fridays between 16:00 and 20:00.

Although hijackings can occur on any day of the week, they typically peak on Fridays. This is due to motorists being more relaxed and traffic increasing earlier, closer to the weekend.

How Can You Avoid Hijacking Situations?

To avoid an attempted hijacking, practice vigilance by always staying alert and avoid reckless driving by not getting distracted by your phone. Keep your car doors locked and your windows closed; if it’s really that hot, let the A/C do its thing!

If you notice anything suspicious, plan your escape and try to find the nearest police station or a public area.

Here are 8 other ways to prevent falling victim to hijackers:

1. Set your location on your phone or GPS and plan your route beforehand. This should help you avoid getting lost in unknown areas.
2. Check that you aren’t being followed, especially when leaving places like shopping malls or your workplace or when heading home after a late night. If you suspect you are being followed, you can go to a petrol or police station. Whatever you do, don’t go home. The more people there are to witness a crime and possibly jump to your defence, the less likely an incident will occur.
3. Avoid distractions like checking your phone. Additionally, consider switching off the radio so you can hear everything around you. The tunes can resume once you’re safely inside.
4. When coming home, avoid parking directly in your driveway (which should be well-lit, by the way); briefly pause on the street, and drive in once your gate has opened. Make sure you have scanned the area thoroughly before opening your gate to avoid any dicey situations.
5. When stopping behind another car, leave enough space in front of your vehicle to make an emergency escape.
6. Try to avoid driving late at night or in the early hours of the morning, when there are likely to be fewer cars on the road. If you have to drive during these hours, avoid travelling alone.
7. Consider keeping your handbrake up at robots or intersections. That way, it’s easier to pull off quicker if you need to make a quick getaway. Or, stop slightly further from the robot and slowly roll forward while waiting for the green light. Should there be a threat, you can make a swift exit.
8. Keep your windows closed. Avoid driving with your windows open—sorry, smokers. Also, make sure your valuables aren’t in plain sight – i.e., on your chair, your lap, or in your hand at a red light or stop sign.

If you happen to witness an accident or something suspicious, report it to the police by calling 10111 instead of pulling over to assist.

Also, don’t pick up hitchhikers. We are always down for a good deed, but sometimes it is just not worth it.

That said, the best protection against hijackings isn’t complete without a comprehensive car insurance policy—and we’re not just saying this because we’re in the business of selling insurance.

Should your car get taken like Liam Neeson’s daughter, having comprehensive cover means you can file a claim with your insurance provider, who might replace it for its full retail value. This will depend on whether your car was insured for the retail, trade or market value and the specifics of your policy documents.

What this means is you don’t have to bear the financial burden of replacing your car alone. Which can be especially helpful if your vehicle is still under finance.

Should your car be recovered after a hijacking, extensive and expensive repairs might be needed.

But, with a comprehensive protection plan, all you’d need to do is pay the excess amount while your insurance provider settles any outstanding balance.

Drive with confidence. Get a quote for our comprehensive car insurance now.

What to Do if You Are Targeted By Hijackers

Let’s get straight into it. Here’s what to do in the event of a hijacking in South Africa:

• Keep calm. Try to avoid panicking or making sudden movements, and keep from showing any signs of aggression, including maintaining eye contact.

• Do as you’re told. Follow the hijackers’ demands to ensure the already tense situation does not escalate.

• Leave everything in the car. Do not reach for any valuables; you have something more priceless to protect: your life.

• If one of your passengers is a young child, someone elderly or someone with a handicap, calmly and clearly explain this to the hijackers. You could ask for special consideration, for example, “Can I have a moment to get my baby out safely?”.

• As safely and as discreetly as possible, try to memorise specific details regarding the hijacker(s), including their appearance, what they’re wearing and the vehicle(s) they might be driving.

Once the hijackers have fled the scene, try and get to safety and alert the police. The sooner, the better, before your memory fades. If your car has a tracking device, notify the tracking company so they can begin the search for the missing automobile.

Lastly, hijackings are a very sensitive and traumatic experience.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help, either from your family, friends and other loved ones or from a trained professional. Trauma counselling can help you come to terms with the hijacking incident and aid you in your road to recovery.

And if you have an active insurance policy, report the theft to your insurance provider by the specified time in your insurance policy documents, which we’re sure you’ve read—right?

If your vehicle isn’t insured, do the right thing and get comprehensive car insurance right now.

We have more Questions!

1. How common are hijackings in South Africa?
   Approximately 50 to 60 cars are stolen daily in South Africa, making hijackings incredibly common. The SAPS’s quarterly crime stats for Jan-March 2025 showed a decrease of 15.1% (4,533) in hijackings compared to the previous year. Still, the Victims of Crime survey, which captures unreported incidents, suggests that the actual number may be much higher.
   
2. What is the best carjacking prevention?
   The best carjacking prevention strategies include staying alert and avoiding distractions, like your phone. It is also recommended to park in well-lit areas, plan but vary your route, and be wary of stopping for strangers, especially at night.
3. Which car is mostly hijacked in South Africa?
   The Toyota Hilux is South Africa’s most hijacked vehicle. Other high-risk vehicles include the Volkswagen Polo Vivo, Toyota Fortuner, Ford Ranger, Hyundai H100, Nissan NP200, Kia Picanto, Toyota Corolla Cross, Isuzu D-Max, and the BMW 3 Series.
4. Where are the carjacking hotspots in South Africa?
   South Africa’s top hijacking hotspots are mainly between Gauteng and the Western Cape. The top hijacking hotspots include Ivory, Phillipi East, Harare, Nyanga, Moroka, Loate, Orange Farms, Eldorado Park, Tembisa and Jabulani.
   
5. Does putting car keys in a tin block the signal?
   Putting your car keys in a metal tin or aluminium foil can block the signal between the key and the vehicle. This is similar to Faraday pouches, which use conductive metal layers to block electromagnetic signals, like GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification). But, this method only works if the lid is closed tightly without leaving gaps.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, it may be a while before we live in a South Africa sans the scourge of vehicle theft.

While hijacking continues to be a harsh reality for motorists, not all hope is lost. By staying vigilant, exercising caution, and getting comprehensive car insurance, you can enjoy peace of mind and protect yourself from would-be car thieves.

And if you’re thinking of leaving your car’s safety up to chance, don’t.

Comprehensive cover can be yours for as little as R550 per month. It includes protection against theft and hijackings, fire, accidental damage, third-party accidents, and weather and hail cover.

Don’t leave your safety and security to chance – safeguard your vehicle with Pineapple’s trusted car insurance.

Read more of our helpful guides on hijacking prevention and safety tips.

• A Comprehensive Guide to Safeguarding Against Hijackings in South Africa
• Hijacking Hotspots In The Cape
• These Are The Top 5 Hijacking Hotspots In KwaZulu-Natal
• Hijacking Hotspots In Gauteng And What To Do In Cases Of An Emergency

Please Note: The information provided above is for informational purposes only; you should not construe any such information as legal or financial advice.

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