Metro Police recover hijacked vehicles amid rising arrests and fines
Metro Police recovered four hijacked vehicles in a week as authorities warn of links between vehicle crime and broader criminal activity in Cape Town.
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Cape Town’s Metro Police recovered four hijacked and stolen vehicles in the past week, as City enforcement agencies recorded 372 arrests and issued 72 772 fines in ongoing operations across the metro.
The recoveries, in Lingelethu, Delft South, Grassy Park and Clovelly, form part of continued efforts to disrupt vehicle-related crime, which authorities warn is often linked to wider criminal activity.
Metro Police officers accounted for 108 of the arrests, and also confiscated drugs during the operations.
In one incident on Wednesday, March 18, officers acted on information about a white Hyundai hijacked by seven armed suspects in Lingelethu. The vehicle was later found abandoned in Qandu Qandu informal settlement.
On the same day, officers responded to a hijacking in Delft South and, with assistance from a tracking company, recovered the vehicle. The owner declined to open a case.
On Sunday, March 15, four suspects aged between 27 and 60 were arrested in Clovelly for possession of a suspected stolen vehicle and property. They were detained at Fish Hoek police station.
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said more than 30 hijacked vehicles had been recovered so far in the current financial year.
“Stolen or hijacked vehicles are very often used to perpetrate other crimes, or for parts or illegal resale. It’s therefore critical that every incident is reported, and that vehicle owners pursue charges so that these cases may be investigated and those responsible brought to book,” he said.
Police data shows that several Cape Town precincts, including Delft, Nyanga, Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain, rank among the highest in the country for serious crime, underscoring ongoing safety concerns across parts of the metro. The Western Cape accounts for nearly a fifth of all serious crime recorded nationally, with more than 72 000 cases logged in just three months. National statistics also show that thousands of carjackings continue to be reported each quarter, with authorities linking stolen vehicles to other violent crimes and organised criminal activity.
Smith urged motorists to remain vigilant, keep doors and windows locked, and maintain safe following distances to allow for quick escape from potential threats.
Beyond Metro Police operations, Law Enforcement officers arrested 234 suspects and issued 10 078 fines during routine patrols.
Traffic officers arrested 30 suspects, including 27 for driving under the influence of alcohol, two for reckless or negligent driving, and one for other offences. They recorded 57 860 traffic violations, impounded 170 public transport vehicles and executed 807 outstanding warrants.
The City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre logged 1 251 calls for assistance over the weekend, including 57 assault cases, 42 domestic violence incidents and 44 pedestrian and motor vehicle accidents.
Residents are encouraged to report emergencies or suspicious activity by calling 021 480 7700 and providing clear details such as the time, location and description of the incident.
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