South Africa’s car thieves are adapting to new patterns, with recent data from vehicle telematics firm Tracker revealing a notable shift in the timing of vehicle thefts across the country. According to Tracker’s latest Vehicle Crime Index, the timing of criminal activity involving vehicles has changed significantly between the first and second halves of 2024.

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Shifting Patterns in Vehicle Thefts

During the first half of 2024, most car thefts were reported on Saturdays between 11:00 and 15:00. However, by the second half of the year, while Saturdays remained the most common day for vehicle thefts, the crimes increasingly took place later in the day—between 16:00 and 21:00.

This shift in operating hours may be linked to a number of factors. One possibility is the increased presence and vigilance of law enforcement during daylight hours, prompting criminals to wait until later in the day. Another theory is that thieves are now targeting vehicles at people’s homes in the evenings, rather than in public areas during the day, where there may be more witnesses or security.

Hijackings Remain Stable but Strategic

While thefts have shown a clear shift in timing, hijackings have remained relatively consistent throughout the year. In both halves of 2024, most hijackings occurred on Fridays. The first half saw these incidents happen between 16:00 and 20:00, while the second half extended this window by an hour, ending at 21:00.

This consistency suggests that hijackers are carefully choosing their moments—often catching drivers at the end of a workweek when fatigue sets in and vigilance wanes, typically during peak traffic hours.

Theft vs Hijacking: Private and Business Vehicle Trends

Tracker’s data from July to December 2024 further shows a sharp divide between the types of vehicles targeted. Hijackings made up 56% of vehicle crime incidents nationally, with thefts accounting for the remaining 44%.

Business vehicles, in particular, are disproportionately affected by hijackings. They are twice as likely to be hijacked as stolen, with the problem especially acute in certain provinces. In Gauteng, over half of hijacked business vehicles were taken in this region. The Western Cape showed business vehicles were four times more likely to be hijacked than stolen, a figure that rises to eight times in the Eastern Cape.

Personal vehicles, on the other hand, showed a more balanced distribution. However, trends varied by region: in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, theft was slightly more common than hijacking for personal vehicles, at 52% and 61%, respectively. In contrast, in provinces like the Western and Eastern Cape, personal vehicles were significantly more likely to be hijacked than stolen.

Why Business Vehicles Are Prime Targets For Car Thieves

Business-owned vehicles—which include everything from courier vans to long-haul trucks—are 33% more likely to be hijacked than personal vehicles. In addition, they are 56% more likely to experience vehicle crime overall.

Tracker suggests that the appeal of business vehicles lies in the triple reward they offer to criminals: the vehicle itself, the goods being transported, and often the driver’s personal possessions. These hijackings often occur when the vehicle is stopped—during deliveries or at truck stops—making them easy targets for opportunistic criminals.

Hijacking: A More Efficient Crime?

Tracker also notes that hijacking remains an attractive option for criminals because of its efficiency. Unlike theft, which often requires bypassing tracking and security systems, hijackings allow immediate access to the vehicle and its contents. With the rise in awareness around security apps and early warning tools, stealing a parked vehicle has become increasingly difficult—making hijacking a faster and more reliable alternative for perpetrators.

As criminals continue to adapt their methods, Tracker’s findings highlight the importance for both businesses and private individuals to remain vigilant, particularly during high-risk hours and in vulnerable regions.