The affluent Joburg suburb that’s on track to becoming hijacking hotspot

A new hijacking hotspot has emerged in South Africa, this time in the form of an upmarket Johannesburg suburb.

Across the country, especially in Gauteng, motorists face a persistent threat of hijackings. Criminals increasingly target vehicles, primarily at on-ramps and off-ramps of SA’s busiest highways.

Now, hijackers are doubling down on their efforts in residential areas, including Joburg’s own Rosebank area.

THE STATS

Most recently, the South African Police Service (SAPS) released their latest crime statistics for the third quarter of 2025. This quarter covers the months of October to December.

During this period, 4 778 carjackings were reported across Mzansi.

“That works out to roughly 50 hijackings every day, underscoring the scale of a crime trend that remains deeply entrenched in South Africa’s major metros,” reports BusinessTech.

“The SAPS data showed that Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape recorded the highest number of hijackings, while the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga are beginning to close the gap.”

Hijackers tend to target specific vehicles, namely sedans, bakkies and hatchbacks. With that said, frequently favoured car models include the Hyundai Grand i10, Nissan NP200 and Volkswagen Polo Vivo.

ROSEBANK: A HOTBED FOR HIJACKINGS?

So, where does Rosebank fit into the picture?

An affluent area, Rosebank – located north of the Johannesburg city centre – has become a property hotspot, attracting residential and commercial buyers-cum-investors. Luxury apartments, co-working office spaces and copious retail spaces form the core of this high-value precinct.

Per Daily Investor:

Seventy-four per cent of Rosebank buyers are under 50, with the 36 to 49 age group forming the most active segment. Purchasers include young professionals seeking work-life balance, and out-of-town buyers securing convenient bases for business or Airbnb use.

There are also downsizers opting for secure, low-maintenance living, as well as investors drawn by strong rental yields and long-term growth potential. The median sectional title price in Rosebank currently stands at R1.9 million, with active liquidity in the R1.5 million to R3 million range for modern one- and two-bedroom units.

PUBLIC PROXIMITY

In addition to offering a high-end lifestyle, Rosebank is also situated near key arterial highways, commercial nodes and public transport venues.

These include Jan Smuts Avenue, Sandton CBD and the Gautrain station.

Altogether, private and public commuting in prosperous suburbs like Rosebank gives rise to a high volume of traffic. And where there is traffic, hijacking presents an ever-looming threat that may well come to fruition.

With carjacking showing no signs of slowing down, it’s important for you to stay vigilant against would-be hijackers who prey upon your automobile. Check out our anti-hijacking tips here.

As always, folks, report all suspicious activity – including incidents of hijacking – to your nearest police station.