Western Cape Social Development staff hijackings: 86 incidents since 2023

The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) has reported a concerning increase in hijackings involving their staff who were driving government vehicles. Between 2023 and the present, there have been 86 such incidents, marking the highest number since the department began tracking these crimes. The majority of these hijackings have occurred in both local and regional offices, as well as at child and youth care centers.

The records show a surge at the start of this calendar year, with 27 occurrences compared to the 17 recorded last year.

The Minister of Social Development, Wendy Kaizer-Philander, welcomed the recent arrests of suspects believed to be responsible for these burglaries. Two weeks ago, police managed to recover a stolen vehicle and arrest two individuals. Kaizer-Philander emphasized the case is now in court, and a watching brief is being monitored. She expressed gratitude to the police for their cooperation and urged them to address the underlying causes of these attacks to ensure the safety of DSD staff when serving communities.

Kaizer-Philander believes that DSD's commitment to service delivery will not waver, even as they enhance security measures. The department is actively engaging with stakeholders, including SAPS and Government Motor Transport, to devise strategies that can mitigate the risks to staff. While specific security protocols remain confidential, the department is determined to work collaboratively to bolster protection.

Kaizer-Philander called on residents to provide any information they might have to assist in these investigations.