eMalahleni (Witbank), Mpumalanga, has become the Carjacking Capital of South Africa

Issued by Trudie Grovè-Morgan: MPL – DA Spokesperson on Community Safety, Security and Liaison
18 Aug 2023 in Press Releases

The Democratic Alliance (DA) warns motorists in Mpumalanga to be extra vigilant when driving in eMalahleni (Witbank) as the area has been officially declared the carjacking capital of South Africa. 

According to the crime statistics for the First Quarter of 2023/24 (April 2023 to June 2023) which were released on Friday, carjacking in eMalahleni increased by 206,7% between April 2023 to June 2023 from 15 reported cases in the first quarter of 2022 to 45 and 46 reported cases in the first quarter of 2023. This is an increase of 31 carjacking cases in the last year, more than any other province in the country. These statistics are gravely concerning taking into consideration that there’s lack of police visibility in areas designated as hijacking spots in the province. 

Bhekithemba in eThekwini District, KwaZulu/Natal Province is second to eMalahleni with 143,8% increase in carjacking, followed by Protea in Gauteng Province with 88% increase in carjacking. 

The DA in Mpumalanga is also concerned that truck hijacking remains a rather common issue in the province as there was an increase of 18.5% to 64 reported cases. In this regard. Out of 30 police stations around the country that reported high number of truck hijacking, below is how Mpumalanga Police Stations ranked: 

  • Middelburg Police Station ranked 7/30 top stations in the country having reported 10 cases; 
  • Delmas Police Station ranked 10/ top 30 stations in the country having reported 8 cases; 
  • Vosman Police Station ranked 22/ 30 top stations in the country having reported 5 cases; 
  • Pienaar Police Station ranked 25/top 30 stations in the country also reporting 5 cases. 

The April to June 2023 crime statistics further revealed that: 

  • Contact crimes increased by 11.6% to 8 693 reported cases; 
  • Murder increased by 6.1% to 332 reported cases; 
  • Robbery at residential premises increased by 9.9% to 366 reported cases. 

Being cognisant of the above and in respect of decreased police visibility in the province, the DA has written to the MEC for the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Vusi Shongwe, urging that he immediately devise a strategy to deal with the rising crime in Mpumalanga, especially the vehicle hijackings.