Consequences for used car dealerships buying stolen state vehicles in KZN

KwaZulu-Natal's Transport MEC, Siboniso Duma, has warned used-car dealerships about the potential serious consequences they may face if they purchase hijacked or stolen government vehicles. The stern warning came after the recovery of a double-cab bakkie in Azalea Township, Pietermaritzburg, where one person was arrested. Duma commended his team for executing Operation Shanela, an intelligence-driven operation against criminals targeting the department's assets, fleet, and infrastructure.

He emphasized that dismantling the market for stolen vehicles is crucial to reducing car hijackings and noted that the department has put measures in place to protect 8,991 state vehicles.

According to national crime statistics from the South African Police Service (SAPS) for the fourth quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year, there were 3,609 carjacking incidents across South Africa, with 446 incidents reported in KwaZulu-Natal alone. Gauteng recorded the highest number of incidents at 2,062. Among the top 30 police stations for carjackings, Johannesburg's Alexandra area had the most with 63 incidents, while KZN's Umlazi was ranked fifth with 52 incidents.

The crime statistics also revealed a decrease in carjacking incidents across the country between January 2022 and March 2025, with 5,402 incidents reported in the latter period compared to 4,533 incidents in the former. However, popular vehicles such as the Toyota Hilux, Volkswagen Polo, Kia Picanto, Isuzu D-Max, and Toyota Corolla Cross continue to dominate the hijacking statistics due to their high resale value and strong demand for parts.

The Ford Ranger also remains a commonly targeted vehicle as its popularity grows. Several high-risk hijacking areas across the country have remained unchanged.