Car hijacking down 15.1% in first quarter of 2025, says SAPS

Instances of car hijacking decreased 15.1% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to the latest crime statistics released on Friday by police minister Senzo Mchunu.

There were 4,533 counts of carjacking nationally from January-March this year compared to 5,338 in 2024, with incidences down in every province except the North West, which recorded a 1.2% rise. Provinces with the biggest decreases included Mpumalanga (-35.4%), the Eastern Cape (-32.4%), KwaZulu-Natal (-25.7%) and the Western Cape (-23.5%).

Gauteng recorded a 2.7% decrease.

SAPS statistics reveal that the types of cars most frequently hijacked between January and March this year where:

• sedans and hatchbacks, with 2,016 units.
• bakkies/panel vans (1,503),
• SUVs/station wagons (341),
• minibuses (292) and
• motorcycles (291).

The SAPS did not specify the most affected brands or model ranges, but Fidelity Services Group previously released a list of the seven most high-risk models for hijacks:

• Toyota Fortuner (GD6 and D4D),
• Hilux (GD6 and D4D),
• Corolla Cross,
• RAV4;
• VW Polo (especially hatchbacks);
• Nissan NP 200; and
• Ford Ranger (double and single cabs).

“Most hijackings target victims at, or close to, their residences and/or places of work,” said Fidelity Services Group CEO Wahl Bartmann.

In the latest statistics revealed on Friday, truck hijackings went down 21.6% in the first quarter, with decreases in all provinces except Gauteng (+0.4%) and Northern Cape (which recorded two incidents compared to zero the year before).

Vehicle thefts decreased 9.1% nationally to 7,731 incidences, down from 8,502 in the first quarter of 2024, said Mchunu. There was a decrease in all provinces except the Free State (+11.1%).