South Africa experienced an increase in hijackings last year and during the first half of 2024. While bright and unusual car colours were not as popular among hijackers, it seems that these are no longer a deterrent.
Increasing numbers of hijackings
Business Tech reported that security company Fidelity ADT noticed a significant increase in the number of hijackings recorded during the first half of 2024 compared to 2023.
The South African Police Service’s (SAPS) latest data shows that South Africa has seen an increase in hijackings year-on-year. Approximately 66 cars are being stolen daily in South Africa, and the most high-risk provinces are also the most populated ones. There are approximately 10 000 vehicle thefts reported per quarter, which amounts to about 40 000 thefts per year.
Gauteng, the Western Cape, and North West have experienced significant rises in hijacking incidents.
Black market’s demand and supply determine the targets
The hijacking market operates on the basis of demand and supply. Hijackers’ preferences depend on the trends of the black market.
Traditionally, hijackers considered bright-coloured cars unpopular as they stood out easily compared to silver or white cars, making them harder to hide from tracking companies and the authorities.
In the recent past, hijackers most often targeted white and silver vehicles as was the black market’s demand.
Within Fidelity’s reported cases, they have identified the following vehicles as being in high demand for hijackings:
- White Nissan Almera and NP200
- White VW Polo
- White Toyota Hi-Ace
- Grey/blue/white Toyota Corolla
However, hijackers’ preferences seem to have changed. There is now a higher demand for vehicles with non-traditional colours, such as orange and yellow.
Car parts in high demand
According to Cartrack, a car-tracking company, the theft of car components is now more widespread than the theft of entire vehicles. The high demand for affordable, readily-available parts on the black market drove this trend, as these parts are easier to conceal and harder to trace than whole cars. Experienced syndicates can dismantle any car in minutes.
Cartrack noted criminals steal vehicle components effortlessly, with four wheels capable of being removed in five minutes, airbags and tailgates in two minutes, and a battery disconnected in as little as one minute.
Airbags, batteries, tailgates, wheels, and tyres are among the parts that hijackers steal most often.
This could explain why the colour of a vehicle does not play such a major role anymore.
Have you ever been a victim of hijacking?
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