Business-owned vehicles, ranging from cargo trucks to courier vehicles, are often targeted by criminals aiming to steal the goods being transported. In Gauteng, which experiences the highest vehicle crime rates in South Africa, 58% of total incidents occur, with theft being more common than hijacking at 53% vs 47%. Statistics show that hijackings peak on Fridays between 4pm and 8pm, while thefts are reported more on Saturdays between 11am and 3pm.
Tracker, a leading vehicle tracking company, has made significant strides in combating vehicle crime, with 127,884 vehicle recoveries, 20,958 arrests, and 1,119 firearms recovered. According to Tracker COO Duma Ngcobo, crime trends shift across provinces, with syndicates using sophisticated methods like keyless entry relay attacks in Gauteng. Furthermore, the N2 corridor towards Gqeberha has seen a surge in crime, likely due to opportunistic thefts driven by economic circumstances in the Eastern Cape.
With the rising threat of vehicle crime, it’s crucial for businesses to implement robust security measures to protect their assets and drivers. Tracker continues to innovate and collaborate with law enforcement to combat these challenges and safeguard the transportation industry.