Category: Africa

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (NPA) — The South African Police Service’s Makhaza Anti‑Hijacking Team on Tuesday afternoon arrested a 22‑year‑old female suspect linked to a hijacking gang and recovered a delivery vehicle stolen in Khayelitsha, Western Cape.

According to police, the team was alerted at approximately 12:45 to the hijacking of a delivery vehicle in the Makhaza area. Officers swiftly mobilised and traced the vehicle to Nxaruni Street, J‑Section, Khayelitsha, where the driver and passenger were found. The victims reported that suspects had transferred all parcels into another vehicle before fleeing.

Following up on intelligence, officers raided a premises in Mcewule Street, J‑Section, Khayelitsha, where stolen property valued at an estimated R250,000 was recovered. The female suspect was arrested and charged with possession of stolen property in connection with a Lingelethu West case. She is expected to appear before the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court.

Vehicle hijackings remain a major security challenge in South Africa, with between 50 and 60 vehicles reportedly hijacked daily across provinces such as Gauteng, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape. These crimes are often carried out by organised syndicates targeting popular vehicle models for resale, dismantling, or cross‑border smuggling. Tactics range from impersonating police officers to ambushes on highways and residential driveways, underscoring the sophistication of criminal networks.

Authorities note that underlying drivers include high unemployment, inequality, and a thriving illicit market for stolen vehicles. In response, the government has intensified law enforcement efforts, deploying specialised anti‑hijacking units, increasing patrols, and conducting rapid‑response operations that have led to arrests and recoveries. Police are also working with private security firms and using technology such as vehicle tracking systems to disrupt syndicates.

Targeted crackdowns on organised crime groups and improved intelligence‑sharing are being implemented to address root causes. While these measures have yielded successes, experts stress that sustained investment in policing, border control, and socio‑economic reforms is essential to significantly reduce vehicle hijackings in South Africa.

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — Several African cities have ranked among the world’s highest in crime levels, according to the latest Current Crime Index released by Numbeo (a crowd-sourced online database that provides information on cost of living, crime, healthcare, pollution, and quality of life across cities worldwide), highlighting growing safety concerns across parts of the continent.

In the rankings, Pietermaritzburg and Pretoria emerged as the two most crime-affected cities globally, with crime index scores of 81.9 and 81.7 respectively, alongside extremely low safety ratings.

Other South African cities also featured prominently, including Johannesburg (80.8), Durban (80.4), Port Elizabeth (78.3), and Cape Town (73.5), reinforcing concerns about persistent urban crime in Africa’s most industrialised economy.

In West Africa, Lagos ranked 28th globally with a crime index of 69.0 and a safety index of 31.0, placing it among the highest in the region.

Southern Africa also recorded high figures, with Windhoek posting a crime index of 67.4, while Harare recorded 61.8. In East Africa, Nairobi ranked 78th globally with a crime index of 59.1.

North African cities appeared relatively lower on the index, with Casablanca at 55.4, Cairo at 49.8, and Algiers at 50.8, suggesting comparatively moderate crime perception levels.

Globally, cities outside Africa also featured among the highest, including Caracas and Port Moresby, underscoring the widespread nature of urban crime challenges.

The index, which is based on user-contributed data measuring perceptions of crime levels, safety concerns, and experiences with property and violent crimes, indicates that many African urban centres continue to grapple with insecurity, economic pressures, and rapid urbanisation.

Analysts say the trend highlights the urgent need for strengthened policing, improved economic opportunities, and urban planning reforms to address crime and enhance public safety across the continent.

The report adds to ongoing debates about security and governance in Africa’s fast-growing cities, where population expansion continues to outpace infrastructure and social services.

At the lower end of the ranking, cities with the least perceived crime levels globally include Abu Dhabi (11.1), Ajman (12.6), and Ras Al Khaimah (14.6), reflecting significantly higher safety ratings compared to most urban centres worldwide.