22 Sep South Africa’s Latest Crime Statistics: Hijackings Fall, but Kidnapping Risk Remains High
South Africa recorded 3,811 carjackings and 4,638 kidnappings between April and June 2026. Although several serious crime categories declined, the number of people affected by hijacking and kidnapping remains significant—particularly in Gauteng.
The South African Police Service released the first-quarter crime statistics for the 2026/27 financial year on 28 August 2026. The figures cover crimes reported between 1 April and 30 June 2026.
2026 crime statistics at a glance
| 3,811 | 4,638 |
|---|---|
| Carjackings nationally | Kidnapping cases nationally |
| 327 | 2,367 |
| Truck hijackings | Kidnappings recorded in Gauteng |
Despite an 18.2% reduction, South Africa still recorded approximately 42 carjackings every day during the quarter.
View the government’s first-quarter crime statistics statement
Gauteng remains the centre of the threat
Gauteng recorded 2,207 carjackings between April and June 2026—approximately 58% of the national total. The Western Cape followed with 548 incidents and KwaZulu-Natal with 481.
Carjackings by province
| Province | Carjackings | Change from 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Gauteng | 2,207 | -14.6% |
| Western Cape | 548 | -14.6% |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 481 | -14.6% |
| Eastern Cape | 195 | -44.4% |
| Mpumalanga | 192 | -13.9% |
| North West | 110 | -29.5% |
| Limpopo | 46 | -45.2% |
| Free State | 27 | -38.6% |
| Northern Cape | 5 | -54.5% |
South Africa’s leading carjacking precincts
| Rank | Police precinct | Province | Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delft | Western Cape | 93 |
| 2 | Ivory Park | Gauteng | 68 |
| 3 | Alexandra | Gauteng | 62 |
| 4 | Kempton Park | Gauteng | 54 |
| 5 | Lingelethu-West | Western Cape | 54 |
| 6 | Umlazi | KwaZulu-Natal | 53 |
| 7 | Mamelodi East | Gauteng | 52 |
| 8 | Vosman | Mpumalanga | 50 |
| 9 | Eldorado Park | Gauteng | 47 |
| 10 | Lenasia | Gauteng | 45 |
National numbers do not tell the full local story. Alexandra recorded a 129.6% increase in carjackings, Vosman increased by 117.4% and Ivory Park rose by 36%.
What is happening in your area?
Crime levels can differ considerably between neighbouring police precincts. Understanding the crime affecting a specific location can support better security planning and more informed decisions.
Crime Stats SA provides detailed reports for individual South African police precincts, including the latest quarterly figures, annual totals and historical crime trends.
Buy a Crime Stats SA precinct report
When a hijacking becomes a kidnapping
Hijacking is not always limited to the theft of a vehicle.
Victims may be forced to remain inside their vehicle, transferred to another vehicle, restrained or driven between different locations. Criminals may use this time to demand bank cards, banking-app access, PINs or money from relatives.
What is an express kidnapping?
An express kidnapping is usually a shorter abduction during which criminals attempt to obtain money or information from the victim or the victim’s family.
- Victims may be driven between ATMs or other locations.
- Banking apps, cards and PINs may be targeted.
- Relatives may be contacted and ordered to transfer money.
- The victim’s vehicle may be stolen, stripped or used in another crime.
- The incident may include assault, robbery, extortion or murder.
Gauteng recorded 2,367 kidnappings between April and June 2026—more than half of all kidnapping cases recorded nationally.
Kempton Park recorded 76 kidnapping cases during the quarter, compared with 48 during the same period in 2025. This represents a 58.3% increase.
Read the Gauteng Provincial Legislature statement
Reported hijacking and kidnapping incidents in 2026
The following cases were identified through publicly available police and media reports. Select an incident to read the details.
This is not a comprehensive list and does not represent every hijacking or kidnapping reported to SAPS during 2026.
7 January – Langa, Western Cape | Quantum driver rescued unharmed
Victim: Toyota Quantum driver
Location: Langa, Cape Town
Outcome: Rescued unharmed
The driver was hijacked and kidnapped at approximately 10:30. Police found him in the back of his vehicle near the Europe informal settlement. The vehicle’s radio and tracking device had reportedly been removed.
11 February – Pretoria West, Gauteng | E-hailing driver found deceased
Victim: 23-year-old e-hailing driver
Location: Pretoria West
Outcome: Found deceased
The driver was allegedly killed during a hijacking. His body and vehicle were later found in Atteridgeville. Four suspects were subsequently linked to the case.
19 March – Eldorado Park, Gauteng | Driver held for approximately five hours
Victim: E-hailing driver
Location: Eldorado Park, Johannesburg
Outcome: Escaped and sought assistance
The driver was tied up and forced into the back of his vehicle after collecting passengers. He was driven around for approximately five hours while the hijackers allegedly demanded R5,000 from the vehicle’s owner for his release.
The driver eventually freed himself and sought help. Four suspects were arrested.
26 April – Kwanobuhle, Eastern Cape | Three victims found deceased
Victims: Three men aged between 23 and 37
Location: Kwanobuhle, Eastern Cape
Outcome: Found deceased
The men were reportedly taken during a carjacking in Vukukhanye Street. Their bodies were discovered the following day near Old Uitenhage Road in Bethelsdorp. All three had sustained gunshot wounds.
28 April – Butterworth, Eastern Cape | Courier driver abducted
Victim: Courier-van driver
Location: N2 near Butterworth
Outcome: Abducted during the hijacking
The driver was stopped at gunpoint by people travelling in a white Toyota Avanza and abducted. The hijacked Ford Courier was subsequently secured by an armed-response company.
May – Dundee to Nquthu, KwaZulu-Natal | Truck driver rescued
Victim: Truck driver
Location: R68 between Dundee and Nquthu
Outcome: Rescued by police
The truck driver and his assistant were attacked by suspects travelling in a red sedan. Shots were reportedly fired at the truck. The assistant escaped, while the driver was forced into the suspects’ vehicle.
21 May – Germiston, Gauteng | Bakkie driver rescued unharmed
Victim: Isuzu bakkie driver
Location: Hijacked in Germiston and intercepted in Winchester Hills
Outcome: Rescued unharmed
The driver was hijacked and forced to accompany the suspects. Police intercepted the group near the N12 and Xavier Road.
Five suspects were arrested and another suspect was fatally wounded during a shootout.
1 July – Clermont, KwaZulu-Natal | Driver held captive overnight
Victim: Toyota Quantum driver
Location: Hijacked in Clermont and recovered in Lamontville
Outcome: Freed unharmed
The driver was held captive overnight after his vehicle was hijacked in Clermont at approximately 23:00. The vehicle was located in Lamontville the following day.
8 August – Tshamutumbu, Limpopo | Farm worker abducted
Victim: A man working at a farm
Location: Tshamutumbu, Vhembe District
Outcome: Released near the Limpopo River
The victim was confronted by four armed suspects. He was forced into the loading area of his Toyota Land Cruiser and driven away with his face covered.
He was later abandoned at another farm. The vehicle was subsequently found in the Limpopo River with its battery and spare wheel missing.
21 August – Centurion, Gauteng | Two victims escaped unharmed
Victims: A man and woman
Location: Centurion, Gauteng
Outcome: Escaped unharmed during a police pursuit
The two victims were kidnapped during the hijacking of an Omoda. After the vehicle was abandoned in Atteridgeville, they were transferred to another car.
The victims escaped after the suspects’ vehicle overturned near the Areyeng Bus Station in Pretoria.
3 September – Carletonville, Gauteng | Driver targeted by fake officials
Victim: 32-year-old bakkie driver
Location: P111 near Carletonville
Outcome: Abandoned beside the road and assisted by a motorist
The driver was forced off the road by a minibus displaying JMPD markings. People wearing what appeared to be JMPD uniforms claimed he had outstanding fines and instructed him to enter their vehicle.
He was threatened with a firearm, had his head covered and was transported between vehicles before being abandoned.
15 September – Katlehong, Gauteng | Owen Ndlovu found deceased
Victim: Former SABC sports presenter Owen Ndlovu, 54
Location: Katlehong, Gauteng
Outcome: Found deceased in Thokoza
Ndlovu was reportedly hijacked and kidnapped while waiting to collect his wife from church. His body was found the following day.
How safe is your area?
National crime figures provide a broad overview, but your local police precinct may follow a very different pattern.
| A Crime Stats SA report includes |
|---|
| Latest quarterly crime statistics |
| Annual crime totals |
| Historical crime trends |
| Year-on-year comparisons |
| Crime categories affecting the precinct |
| A map and direct link to the relevant police station |
Reports are suitable for residents, businesses, security teams, property professionals and organisations requiring a clearer understanding of crime in a particular area.
Do you know which crimes are increasing in your police precinct?
Awareness must begin before the incident
A hijacking may develop into a prolonged and unpredictable security incident. Criminals can use uniforms, marked vehicles, e-hailing requests, road obstructions or apparently routine encounters to control a victim.
Training cannot remove every risk. It can help participants recognise warning signs, reduce unnecessary exposure and make clearer decisions under pressure.
SSC Legacy’s three training options
| Training option | Best suited to | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Online H.E.A.T. | Individuals and remotely based teams | Self-paced online training |
| In-Person H.E.A.T. | Corporate groups and travelling teams | Instructor-led practical training |
| Kidnap & Ransom Awareness | Executives, business owners and leadership teams | On-site or live online group training |
Online H.E.A.T. Training
Self-paced Hostile Environment Awareness Training for individuals and remotely based teams.
- Situational awareness and threat recognition
- Travel and accommodation security
- Communications and cybersecurity
- Kidnap-prevention awareness
In-Person H.E.A.T. Training
Instructor-led practical training for corporate groups and teams operating or travelling in elevated-risk environments.
- Hijacking awareness
- Vehicle and movement security
- Kidnap prevention and civil-unrest response
- Scenario-based exercises
- Decision-making under pressure
View In-Person H.E.A.T. Training
Kidnap & Ransom Awareness Training
Focused personal-security training for executives, business owners, leadership teams, exposed professionals and executive families.
- Kidnapping threats and target-selection methods
- Surveillance and routine variation
- Travel and driveway security
- Digital privacy and social media risk
- Captivity awareness and emergency planning
View Kidnap & Ransom Awareness Training
Prepare your people before they face the risk
Preparation changes how people recognise and respond to danger.
SSC Legacy’s training options provide practical guidance that participants can apply during travel, work and everyday routines.
Explore all three training options, call +27 11 786 8556 or complete the form below.