A disturbing new trend has emerged in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, where hijackers and criminal syndicates are increasingly targeting government vehicles. The province, already struggling with service delivery issues, now finds itself grappling with a crime wave that directly undermines essential municipal operations.

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Government Fleet Under Siege

The latest incidents involve the systematic stripping of 16 waste collection trucks owned by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. These vehicles, which were no longer in use due to a lack of maintenance, were parked at various municipal depots under security watch. Despite this, thieves managed to access and remove critical parts from the trucks over a span of several weeks in March, indicating a highly coordinated operation.

The municipality has launched a formal investigation, but officials admit they are still unclear on how the thefts occurred. Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Babalwa Lobishe acknowledged gaps in oversight, stating that “loose ends in terms of management and accountability” contributed to the loss. She added that the city plans to install surveillance cameras and improve oversight within its fleet management systems.

A Province-Wide Crisis

These thefts are not isolated incidents. The Eastern Cape Department of Transport revealed that by mid-February 2025, at least nine government vehicles had already been stolen in the province. Over the course of 2024, a total of 55 state-owned vehicles were either hijacked or stolen—an average of one per week. Of those, 48 were confirmed hijackings.

“This is deeply troubling,” said department spokesperson Unathi Binqose. The majority of the hijackings occurred in the OR Tambo District, particularly around towns such as Libode, Mthatha, Ngcobo, Ngqeleni, and Qumbu. The vehicles targeted include widely-used Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-Max bakkies, along with minibus taxis, which make up a large part of the provincial fleet.

Authorities have managed to recover 26 of the stolen vehicles, but the rest remain missing, contributing to significant disruptions in service delivery.

Impact on Public Services and Safety

The persistent targeting of government vehicles has had a ripple effect on public service delivery. Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane noted that fear among government employees has grown, with many now hesitant to travel to high-risk areas. This has made it increasingly difficult to provide essential services in affected regions.

“The continued attacks are crippling our ability to serve communities effectively,” Mabuyane said, urging law enforcement to intensify efforts to catch the perpetrators.

The Transport Department welcomed the Premier’s public condemnation of the crimes, which was highlighted in his recent State of the Province Address. “It’s reassuring that leadership is paying closer attention to this issue,” Binqose said.

New Measures to Mitigate Risk

In response to the thefts, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has committed to changing its procurement strategy. Going forward, all newly purchased garbage trucks must come with active maintenance or service plans. The stripped trucks had been out of commission for as long as five years due to a lack of upkeep, leaving them vulnerable to theft and contributing to refuse removal backlogs.

“We must stop relying solely on our internal fleet management,” Mayor Lobishe said. “If we purchase vehicles with valid motor plans, we can avoid lengthy delays in repairs that ultimately open the door to crime.”

Hijackers: A Growing Menace

The spike in hijackings and theft of government vehicles in the Eastern Cape signals a shift in criminal behavior — one that specifically targets state resources with precision and planning. These criminals are no longer acting at random; they’re targeting key municipal assets, often under the noses of security personnel, and exploiting gaps in government oversight. The pattern suggests the involvement of well-organized syndicates that are increasingly emboldened by weak accountability and reactive policing.