The latest hijacking trend to emerge in South Africa is for criminals to wait and pounce on their victims while at fast-food drive-thrus – adding to a growing list of tactics being used against drivers in the country.

Vehicle tracking group Tracker has seen increased hijacking activity in the country, which has been reflected in the latest crime stats published by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Quarterly data published by SAPS earlier in August showed that the SAPS is struggling to deal with violent crimes, including murder and hijackings across the country.

The data showed that 5,866 hijackings were reported across the country between April and June 2022 – a 14% increase from the 5,146 hijackings reported over the previous year.

Hijackings are also up quarter-on-quarter, climbing 8.6% from 5,402 cases recorded in Q4 2021/2022.

Security groups and insurers have detailed several methods and hijacking trends over the last few months, as criminal activity has ballooned following a lull in 2021 due to the lockdown.

Security company Fidelity ADT’s latest alert points to a growing trend of criminals waiting at fast-food outlets hoping to get the jump on unsuspecting patrols.

“Typically, as you get to the front of the queue, armed suspects from the vehicle in front of you get out and attempt to hijack your vehicle. There are usually two cars involved, the vehicle behind you blocks in your car when you try and reverse,” the group said.

This is an evolution of one of the other key tactics to emerge in 2022 – the blockage method of hijacking.

Experts have also warned of a growing trend in hijackings becoming kidnappings, where criminals will force their victims to accompany them to an ATM to draw cash.

A ‘reformed’ hijacker, speaking to insurance group DialDirect, said that these are the key tactics South Africans should be on alert for in the country:

Blockage

Like the new drive-thru tactic, blockage involves pouncing on victims when there is little room to escape or manoeuvre out of the situation.

Coming out of lockdown, this tactic has been used when deliveries are made, with criminals keeping security gates open and forcing those inside the property to comply with their demands. This tactic is also used on narrow roads, where there’s little or no space for the victim to escape.

Imposter/Blue light

This old tactic is often used on the road, at homes and at businesses – where criminals pose as authorities and officials to get people to pull over or grant access to their properties. A common tactic is to use ‘blue lights’ and pose as a traffic official, where criminals indicate for their victims to pull over for a traffic stop.

Good Samaritan

This tactic involves criminals trying to convince targets that something is wrong with their vehicle or by taking a vehicle’s number plate or another accessory when the vehicle is stationary and then driving next to and showing it to their targets – as if they picked it up and simply want to return it – to get them to pull over.

Test drive

This tactic is aimed at those who are trying to sell their vehicles. Criminals pose as potential buyers who want to test drive the vehicle but do not intend to return it.

Bumper bashing / ‘tap-tap’ 

Criminals gain access to their victims by bumping into the vehicle, making them think that it’s an accident. It can also be done by pedestrians causing minor damage and scratches to the vehicle, expecting the victim to get out and confront them.

Breakdown

Criminals act as if their vehicle has broken down, getting victims to pull over to help or to slow down to drive around them. This usually happens in isolated areas or areas with low visibility and easy places for accomplices to hide.

Driveway hijackings

A common type of hijacking in the country where criminals box in their victims as they pull into their driveways to open the gate or while they wait for the motorised gate to open. This type of hijacking has been exacerbated by load shedding, where motorised security gates may not be functioning.

Follow-me-home

This is a more organised hijacking tactic where criminals identify a high-value target in a public space and then follow them to a more opportune pouncing spot.

Slow-moving traffic

This tactic involves criminals staking out a spot where traffic is moving slowly or following a target at a distance, later moving closer and striking at a traffic light.

What to do

Security and insurance experts offer a wealth of tips and advice for how to handle hijacking. The National Hijacking Prevention Academy (NHPA) and Dialdirect provide the following tips:

• Always be alert: Especially when your vehicle will be moving slowly or coming to a complete stop. Avoid being distracted and pay careful attention to your surroundings.
• Back to basics: Know your neighbours, keep your driveway free of places where perpetrators can hide and ensure it’s well-lit. Remember to lock doors when driving.
• Roadmap: Plan your route carefully to avoid driving at unsafe times and through unsafe areas, or coming to a stop/driving slower, therefore becoming an easier target. Alternate your habits and routes.
• Check the tail: If you suspect you are being followed, make a couple of false turns. If someone is still following you, drive to the nearest police station.
• Automatic gate: If possible, stop on the road parallel to your gate, giving yourself an escape route. Once the gate is fully open, turn in, and stop your vehicle just on the inside. Wait for it to close behind you before proceeding to park. You want to avoid being followed into your property, as a hijacking could turn into a house robbery.
• Non-automatic gate: Stop right in front of the gate. Check if it’s safe before exiting your vehicle. Leave the key in the ignition and the engine running; open and close the door so that, in the event of an attack, the perpetrator does not have to approach you to take the vehicle. Move as swiftly as you can.
• Stop smart: Time your approach to traffic lights in such a way that you don’t have to come to a complete stop. When stopping behind a vehicle at a traffic light/stop sign, make sure you can see its rear tyres touch the road surface. This will make it more difficult to be boxed in and give you enough space to escape if needed. Also, move swiftly when pickup up or dropping off passengers or goods.
• Smash & grab prevention: Keep your phone and other valuables out of sight. Thieves and hijackers often “window shop” before striking. Avoid driving with windows wide open.