Hijacking warning for Cape Town and Joburg motorists

Motorists in South Africa’s biggest cities face a warning over criminals who allegedly seize vehicles under the guise of “impounding” them before demanding money for their return.

The practice has affected private staff and scholar transport operators in Cape Town, while reports of similar incidents have also emerged elsewhere in the country.

According to a report, MasterDrive CEO Eugene Herbert warned motorists that private individuals have no authority to impound their vehicles.

“When non-law enforcement individuals take your vehicle without your consent, it is a hijacking,” Herbert said.

Criminals allegedly take some vehicles to taxi rank offices before demanding payment from owners to recover them.

The tactic effectively combines hijacking with extortion and places drivers who rely on their vehicles for an income at particular risk.

Cape Town drivers targeted

Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith has previously raised concerns about what he described as “mafia-style” extortion and hijacking.

Staff transport and scholar transport operators have faced intimidation and demands for money, while e-hailing drivers have also encountered threats in parts of South Africa.

Herbert warned drivers against trying to recover seized vehicles themselves.

Those behind the crimes may be armed, making any attempt to confront them potentially dangerous.

He urged victims to contact police immediately rather than negotiate directly with those responsible.

South Africa records thousands of hijackings

The warning comes as hijackings remain a major threat to motorists across South Africa. The latest SAPS crime statistics recorded 3 811 carjackings between April and June 2026. That amounts to an average of about 41 vehicles hijacked every day.

Gauteng recorded 2 207 carjackings during the three-month period, accounting for more than half of the national total.

The Western Cape recorded 548 cases.

Delft in Cape Town ranked as the country’s leading individual hijacking hotspot during the quarter, recording almost 100 cases.

How motorists can reduce their hijacking risk

Herbert urged motorists to stay alert when driving through unfamiliar areas and when travelling early in the morning or late at night.

• Drivers should watch for vehicles following them and people monitoring traffic from the roadside.
• Changing routes and travelling times where possible can also make a driver’s movements less predictable.
• Motorists should keep their doors locked and windows closed, especially at intersections and in slow-moving traffic.

If hijackers confront them, drivers should avoid arguing or resisting. Herbert advised motorists to remain calm, follow instructions and avoid sudden movements that could escalate the situation.

Victims should move to a safe location as soon as possible and report the crime to SAPS.

Herbert also stressed the importance of opening a criminal case, even when victims manage to recover their vehicles.

Without formal complaints, police have fewer opportunities to identify patterns, investigate organised networks and prosecute those responsible.