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Crime stats SA: 55 000+ stolen vehicles

Cape Town - The South African Police Service (SAPS) has released its crime statistics for the period April 2014 - March 2015.

The results for SA road users are grim.

National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega presented crime statistics at Parliament’s portfolio committee on police on Tuesday (Sept 29 2015).

Hijackings up, drunk/drug drivers down

SAPS reports 12 773 carjackings (up from 11 180 in 2013/14) and 1279 truck hijackings (up by 288)

A total of 55 090 cases of stolen vehicles and motorcycles were reported, a decrease of 2.7% from the same period in 2013/14.

Infographic: SA Crime Stats 2015

The crime statistics report covers crimes that have been reported to the police (metro police agencies do not record or release crime statistics but open criminal cases with the SAPS, which forms part of the statistics).

As it happened: 2014/2015 SA crime stats

Officials report a minor decrease in drunk/drug drivers at 68 561 cases (down by 1164).

Crime statistics 2014/2015: Figures compared to 2013/2014

Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle - 55 090 (-1555)
Theft out of or from motor vehicle - 145 358 (+1557)
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs - 68 561 (-1164)
Carjacking - 12 773 (1593)
Truck hijacking - 1279 (288)
Robbery of cash in transit - 119 (-26)

SA vehicle crime stats: Breakdown by province

Eastern Cape
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle - 3276
Theft out of or from motor vehicle - 12 034
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs - 6946
Carjacking - 769
Truck hijacking - 34

Watch: 5 tips for staying safe on SA's roads

Gauteng
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle - 27 147
Theft out of or from motor vehicle -  44 809
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs - 25 794
Carjacking - 6867
Truck hijacking - 804

Free State
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle - 1743
Theft out of or from motor vehicle - 5399
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs - 1976
Carjacking - 270
Truck hijacking - 89

KwaZulu-Natal
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle - 8404
Theft out of or from motor vehicle - 18 148
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs - 11702
Carjacking - 2190
Truck hijacking - 63

Limpopo
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle - 988
Theft out of or from motor vehicle - 5501
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs - 3214
Carjacking - 345
Truck hijacking - 27

Mpumalanga
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle - 2303
Theft out of or from motor vehicle - 7999
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs - 2974
Carjacking - 509
Truck hijacking - 155

North West
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle - 1984
Theft out of or from motor vehicle - 6349
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs - 1927
Carjacking - 278
Truck hijacking - 45

Northern Cape
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle - 327
Theft out of or from motor vehicle - 2898
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs - 804
Carjacking - 15
Truck hijacking - 0

Western Cape
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle - 327
Theft out of or from motor vehicle - 2898
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs - 804
Carjacking - 15
Truck hijacking - 0

Click here for more news on SA crime statistics


Top 10 tips to stay safe on SA roads

1 Criminals can block your vehicle while you're attempting to enter your property. When approaching your home leave your car in the road, turn off the engine and take the key. Open your gate/garage, then return to the car and drive inside. Do the same if your gate/garage is powered.

2 Always travel with your doors locked; keep valuables out of sight. If your windows must be open ensure the opening isn't wide enough to fit a hand through.

3 Always leave enough space between your car and the car ahead at a traffic light/stop-street to avoid being "boxed in" should you need to escape.

4 Be aware of any person approaching at traffic lights, stop streets or your driveway. Don't be distracted. If outside your home gate, drive away again.

5 Be aware of pedestrians loitering at road junctions.

6 Do not drive directly home after drawing money from a bank teller or ATM. Spotters working inside the bank can relay the information by cellphone to accomplices outside who might follow you home.

7 Always park your vehicle at a secure location, if possible near closed-circuit TV cameras.

8 Make sure your vehicle is properly locked by testing the door release before you walk away; the threat here is called "jamming" (watch the video). Under no circumstances leave valuables in your car.

9 Avoid stopping on a highway; rather take the next off-ramp and find a public area where you can stretch, refresh yourself and/or take a break from driving. Apart from which, stopping on a freeway is illegal.

10 If you're involved in a collision take a series of pictures with a camera/cellphone from a number of positions all around the wreckage. File an accident report with the police within 24-hours; you will need a case number for your insurance company to file a claim.


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