A South African e-hailing driver recently escaped an attempted hijacking by accelerating away with two suspects clinging to his vehicle, an incident that has prompted renewed discussion on safety protocols and the optimal response to such dangerous encounters. The dramatic escape, captured on video and widely shared online, showcased a rare instance of a victim successfully evading assailants. However, MasterDrive CEO Eugene Herbert cautioned against viewing such resistance as a viable strategy, stating unequivocally that compliance generally yields better outcomes when confronted by hijackers. The incident notes the difficult choices faced by motorists and the critical need for informed safety practices.
Mr. Herbert emphasized the statistical reality of such encounters, showing the severe risks involved in resisting. "For every clip of a driver escaping unharmed, there are significantly more cases where fighting back or resisting has ended in gunfire, serious injury, or death," he said, noting the disproportionate danger associated with confrontation. He added that hijackers are typically armed and prepared to use force, making any resistance a potentially fatal gamble. "What percentage of this is because of evasive action is unclear. What is clear is that hijackers are typically armed and prepared to use force the moment they sense resistance," Herbert explained. He firmly advised that "carjacking victims should not resist or argue, because a life is worth far more than any vehicle." He concluded that while the driver in the viral video was undeniably lucky, "luck and skill are not safety strategies" that can be reliably employed by the general public in such high-stakes situations.
Expert Warnings on Resistance
Road safety experts caution that the recent incident, in which a driver escaped an attempted hijacking, should not serve as a guide for how motorists should respond during such an event. They stress that while the driver's actions were successful in this specific instance, attempting to replicate such a high-risk maneuver can have tragic consequences. Instead, experts advise motorists to prioritize prevention by enhancing their situational awareness. This includes observing for unfamiliar vehicles lingering nearby, being mindful of suspicious individuals, and varying their regular routes to avoid predictability, thereby reducing the likelihood of becoming a target in the first place. Proactive measures are consistently recommended over reactive resistance.
Official statistics do not provide data on the number of hijacking victims injured or killed specifically after attempting to escape or retaliate, making it difficult to quantify the precise risks of resistance from a national data perspective. However, historical information from the South African Police Service (SAPS) indicates that many incidents where drivers are shot involve victims who tried to resist or draw a firearm, strongly suggesting a direct link between resistance and increased violence. This historical trend reinforces the expert advice against confrontation. Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Services Group, urged motorists to maintain vigilance, avoid predictable routines, and remain alert, particularly when arriving home, which is often a vulnerable moment for drivers. He emphasized that proactive measures and a high degree of personal awareness are key to personal safety against such threats, rather than relying on evasive action during an active hijacking.
Hijacking Statistics and Trends
Research published in Sabinet African Journals estimates that a significant majority, 81%, of carjacking victims suffer physical trauma, showing the violent nature of these crimes even without overt resistance. This statistic notes the inherent danger of carjacking incidents, irrespective of the victim's response. South African Police Service (SAPS) crime statistics for the third quarter of 2025, covering October to December, recorded a concerning 4,778 reported carjackings nationwide. This averages out to approximately 50 incidents per day across the country, illustrating the widespread nature of this crime.
Gauteng reported the highest number of carjacking incidents during this period, reflecting its status as a major economic hub with dense urban populations. This was followed by KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, which also experienced a substantial number of reported cases. Sedans, hatchbacks, and coupes are the vehicle types most frequently targeted by hijackers, likely due to their prevalence and ease of resale. However, bakkies and panel vans also appear commonly in hijacking statistics, indicating that criminals target a range of vehicle types based on various factors, including demand and utility for further criminal activities.
Tracker's vehicle crime statistics for July-December 2025 provide further insights into the patterns of these crimes. These statistics indicate that hijackings were most commonly reported on Tuesdays, suggesting a particular vulnerability on this day of the week. These incidents primarily occurred between 16:00 and 21:00, aligning with peak traffic times and the transition from daylight to evening, which often provides cover for criminal activities. Vehicle theft, in contrast to hijacking, continued to occur most often on Saturdays, with incidents concentrated between 11:00 and 16:00, pointing to different operational patterns for outright vehicle theft compared to carjacking.
Prioritizing Safety Over Property
MasterDrive consistently advises motorists not to confront hijackers, stating that a life is worth far more than any vehicle. This fundamental principle underpins all expert advice regarding carjacking situations. In most carjacking incidents, criminals are primarily interested in stealing the vehicle itself rather than intentionally harming the driver. This focus on property over personal injury by the perpetrators underpins expert advice for victims to comply with demands, as resistance can escalate the situation from a property crime to one involving serious bodily harm or even death. Understanding this motivation is key for victims to make the safest choices under duress.
If a carjacking becomes unavoidable, training in safe extraction offers better odds than improvising during the event, as an unprepared response can lead to panic and heightened danger. Eugene Herbert, CEO of MasterDrive, emphasized this point, advocating for pre-emptive training. "If a carjacking becomes unavoidable, training in how to extract oneself safely offers far better odds than improvisation under threat of armed and unpredictable criminals," Mr. Herbert said. This approach suggests that while prevention is ideal, having a prepared and practiced response is key when an incident occurs, enabling victims to act calmly and deliberately. Prioritizing compliance and understanding the typical motivations of hijackers can significantly help mitigate harm, ensuring personal safety remains the critical concern.
