Prosumer Connect

Hijackers have two new favourite car colours in South Africa

Shaun Marshall — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 12:52:02 +0000

Over the course of last year and the first half of 2024, security groups and insurers have highlighted that hijackings are on the rise, and bright or unusual colours are no longer a deterrent.

Fidelity ADT confirmed that within the Fidelity footprint, the number of hijackings recorded during the first half of 2024 increased compared to the corresponding periods during 2023 and the second half of 2023.

According to data from the South African Police Services (SAPS), there are 66 reported car hijackings every day, marking a significant 34% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels.

The statistics show that approximately half of these incidents take place in Gauteng, while the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal each account for about 14% of the total.

It’s important to highlight that these statistics only cover hijackings involving violence or coercion against the driver.

The data reveals that there are approximately 10,000 vehicle thefts reported per quarter, which amounts to about 40,000 thefts annually.

This information sheds light on the concerning issue of car-related crimes in South Africa.

Vehicle hijackings are often described as largely a business driven by demand and supply. As a result, hijackers target specific vehicles for a specific purpose and market.

Within the Fidelity footprint, these are the top five vehicles currently being targeted:

White Nissan Almera
White VW Polo
White Toyota Hi-Ace
White Nissan NP200
Grey/blue/white Toyota Corolla

In the recent past, white and silver vehicles were most often targeted, as per the black market’s demand, which often reflects the mainstream market trends.

However, there has been an increased demand for non-traditional coloured vehicles on the road.

As a result, vehicles with non-traditional colours, including orange and yellow, have started being targeted more regularly.

Traditionally, bright-coloured cars were considered unpopular among hijackers as they stood out easily compared with silver or white cars, making them harder to hide from tracking companies and the authorities.

However, Cartrack, a prominent car-tracking company, said the theft of car components has become more widespread than the theft of entire vehicles.

It said the high demand for affordable, readily available parts on the black market drives this trend, as these parts are easier to conceal and harder to trace than whole cars.

This could explain why colour isn’t much of a deterrent anymore.

This is because experienced syndicates with designated chop shops can dismantle any car in minutes.

Cartrack noted criminals steal vehicle components effortlessly, with four wheels capable of being removed in five minutes, airbags and tailgates in two minutes, and a battery disconnected in as little as one minute.

The tracking company noted that airbags, batteries, tailgates, wheels, and tyres are among the most stolen parts.

Cartrack reported incidents of stolen vehicles that were later found completely stripped, indicating the lucrative trade value of illegal chop shops and stolen car parts, which has been estimated at about R442 million.

This unlawful practice is seen as a quicker and more profitable alternative to reselling stolen vehicles.

Tracker has commented on the latest hijacking hotspots, stating that while shopping malls are still a primary hotspot for thefts in South Africa, their data also shows that sporting and school events are primary hunting grounds for hijackings and car thefts across the country.

Source: BusinessTech

More storms mean more insurance claims, but they’re not always paid out – here’s why

Shaun Marshall — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 12:31:38 +0000

Does the fact that your house has storm damage always guarantee that you claim for damages and losses will be paid out?

With more storms hitting South African communities there are more short-term insurance claims for damage to homes. While it puts your mind at rest to know you are insured, claiming for storm damage and having your claim accepted, is not always that easy.

This is especially clear if you consider the case studies from the latest report of the Ombudsman for Short-term Insurance (OSTI) for 2023. In 2023 the second highest number of complaints, around 25%, related to homeowners’ claims declined on the basis of policy exclusions.

The majority of these claims related to damage caused by acts of nature but were declined on the basis of gradual deterioration, lack of maintenance and wear and tear, followed by defects in design or construction.

Looking at why these claims were rejected or accepted can teach us how to ensure that our claims are accepted when it comes to our time to claim.

CLAIM REJECTED: Storm damage to boundary wall

The consumer complained after the insurer declined a claim for his collapsed boundary wall that he said collapsed due to extreme winds in April 2023. The insurer rejected his claim on the basis that the damage was caused by gradual deterioration.

The insurer relied on the following provisions of the policy that it covers loss or damage to buildings caused by storm or wind but does not cover loss or damage caused by wear and tear or gradual deterioration. Loss or damage caused by weeds or roots is also not covered.

The boundary wall was constructed as a double skin wall with a single skin wall built on top. It was three metres high and the insurer observed that the wall did not meet the minimum specifications as set out in the National Building Regulations.

The collapsed boundary wall was not designed to act as a retaining wall but served this purpose. The insurer contended that the wall lacked the necessary columns that were typically required for this type of wall and that its structural integrity had been compromised over time due to the invasive root systems from the surrounding plants.

The insurer said this weakened the wall which led to its eventual collapse. While strong winds may have contributed to the collapse of the wall, it was not the only cause.

After reviewing the evidence submitted by the insurer and the consumer, OSTI believed the proximate cause of the collapse of the wall could not be a single and sudden event. The evidence showed the office that the wind served as the “final straw that broke the camel’s back”.

Therefore, OSTI was of the view that the insurer could substantiate and justify the policy provisions it relied on and upheld the rejection of the claim.

CLAIM REJECTED: Storm damage to property

Another consumer complained that his insurer rejected the claim for storm damage to his property on the basis that the damage fell outside the scope of cover. The insurer said the damage was caused by a combination of extreme weather conditions (storm) and a lack of maintenance.

However, the insurer stated that the primary reason for the rejection of the claim was that the policy excluded cover for resultant damage and damage caused by a lack of maintenance.

The consumer said his area experienced a thunderstorm in December 2022 when about 50mm of rain fell within a short period. He said that water damage occurred to various interior parts of his property, including ceilings and cornices and that the damage was directly caused by the severe storm rather than a lack of maintenance.

The insurer appointed an assessor to determine the cause and extent of the damage. The assessor found visible and evident stormwater damage to several areas of the property in the bathroom, lounge, kitchen and garage.

The assessor also conducted a roof inspection. The roof consisted of cement tiles with a flat concrete section. The assessor noted that the roof required maintenance and that the waterproofing was insufficient. Various cracks were visible in the waterproofing and some areas were lifting up and peeling.

The assessor also found that several roof tiles had shifted over time leading to blockages in the gutter system. Importantly, the assessor concluded that there was no storm-related damage to the roof and he emphasised that a lack of maintenance was the proximate cause of the damage.

There was indeed a heavy storm that day

In addition, the assessor confirmed that there was indeed a heavy storm that day. The assessor indicated that the damage to the property was the result of a combination of severe weather conditions, specifically the storm and maintenance-related issues, particularly relating to the roof.

The assessor also noted that the lack of maintenance to the roof resulted in stormwater infiltrating the property’s interior due to the deteriorated waterproofing and overflowing gutters. Despite this finding, the assessor concluded that the claim warranted approval.

However, the insurer rejected the claim because the policy excludes damage caused by any process that uses or applies water, wear and tear, gradual deterioration, mould, rust or corrosion, contraction or expansion of soil as a result of its moisture or water content and damage resulting from or aggravated by the lack of maintenance of private residential structures.

Despite acknowledging that stormwater caused interior damage due to the deteriorating waterproofing and overflowing gutters, the insurer clarified that damage to the walls and ceiling resulting from a lack of roof maintenance would not be covered as the policy also excluded cover for resultant damage.

OSTI agreed with the insurer after reviewing all the evidence and upheld the insurer’s decision to reject the claim as it was made in line with the policy terms and conditions. Although it appeared as if concurrent causes operated to cause the loss, the insurer adequately demonstrated, relying on its assessor’s report, that the unmaintained roof was the proximate cause of the damage and that the policy did not cover resultant damage.

CLAIM PAID OUT: Claim for storm damage and emergency repairs to home

The consumer registered a claim for damage to his house that occurred during the April 2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods. The insurer partially accepted liability for the claim but declined the claim in respect of the reimbursement for emergency repairs that the insured had conducted at his own cost due to the delay by the insurer in assessing the claim.

The insured appointed two informal labourers to assist with cleaning and clearing the excessive mud and debris in the yard and appointed a professional plumber to unblock and repair water pipes that were blocked and damaged by sand and mud caused by the flood.

The insurer relied on the provision for using your own service provider to decline this portion of the claim, that states that the insurer has the right to require that a service provider of its choice do any work required on the insured property.

The consumer submitted that the insurer’s service provider arrived at his property to assess the damage and to conduct emergency repairs three weeks after the incident and that due to the damage, it was necessary to conduct emergency repairs to the yard as there was excessive mud that was blocking the main door of the house and hindered entry into and exit from the house.

Unblocking the water pipes was also necessary to make the house habitable. The consumer provided the documents and information as evidence to substantiate his claim, as well as photographs depicting the state that the yard was in.

High volume of claims in April 2022

The insurer confirmed that it registered a high volume of claims for the April 2022 floods and as a result, there was a shortage in the number of service providers to timeously attend to assessment of claims. Some areas were also not accessible due to the storm damage.

The insurer rejected the consumer’s report for the costs incurred for clearing the debris and stated that it was insufficient proof as he could not provide a proper invoice or proof of the alleged payments to the informal labourers.

The insurer submitted that the consumer did not provide sufficient evidence to prove that water pipes were blocked or damaged.

After reviewing the evidence submitted by the consumer and the insurer, OSTI agreed that the report by the consumer detailing the costs he incurred for clearing and cleaning the yard was insufficient. However, when the report was considered in conjunction with the photographs he provided, which depicted the state of the yard before and after the labourers cleaned it and showed them working and the report provided by the insurer’s loss adjuster, OSTI found that the consumer provided sufficient evidence to hold the insurer liable for the reimbursement of these costs.

OSTI also considered the invoice for the plumbing costs and the supporting photographs depicting a burst water pipe amongst the debris. The invoice stipulated that the plumber repaired and connected a burst water pipe, while the photographs depicted a burst water pipe with water running through it among the debris in the yard. OSTI found that the insured had also provided sufficient evidence in this regard.

Therefore, OSTI recommended that the consumer’s claim for reimbursement of the costs that he incurred be settled according to the rates of the insurer’s service providers. The insurer agreed to abide by the recommendation.

Source: The Citizen

INSURERS PUSH FOR TRACKERS AS THEFT OF HIGH-END VEHICLES SURGES

Shaun Marshall — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 09:43:04 +0000

With about 66 cars hijacked a day, many insurers now insist that certain vehicles have tracking devices installed before granting cover.

Car hijackings have been on the rise since 2020. According to Tracker’s latest Vehicle Crime Index, hijackings accounted for 55% of all vehicle crime incidents.

The latest SAPS crime statistics show there were 5 973 carjackings in the fourth quarter of 2023.

“This equates to about 66 cars being hijacked per day, which represents an increase of 34% over pre-pandemic levels,” says Marius Kemp, head of Personal Lines Insurance at Santam.

Gauteng is the worst region in South Africa for this type of crime. Of the almost 6 000 cars hijacked in the fourth quarter of 2023, half (3 010, or 50.4%) were from Gauteng. The Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal were the next worst-hit provinces, at about 14% each.

“These statistics are only for hijackings, involving some sort of violence or coercion against the driver. Total vehicle thefts are around 10 000 per quarter, or about 40 000 annually,” Kemp says.

A hijacking trend highlighted in the 2022/23 Santam Insurance Barometer Report showed there has been a shift from older, low-value vehicles with limited security features to more expensive double cabs and SUVs.

“The hi-tech features on newer, higher-end cars often aren’t the deterrent one would think. For example, cars with keyless entry have become specific targets for criminals, who are able to intercept the signal coming from the driver’s remote,” Kemp says.

Facing a post-pandemic spike in car theft claims, insurance companies, including Santam, have introduced mandatory hijacking and theft countermeasures.

Santam says these measures proved effective. The short-term insurer’s personal lines hijacking claims were down by 24% in the first half of 2023, and vehicle theft claims were down by 19%.

Kemp says having a tracking device won’t prevent a car from being stolen, but will, in most cases, ensure a rapid recovery. He adds that even if a vehicle owner isn’t compelled to by an insurer, consumers and businesses should consider the substantial benefits these devices offer.

Apart from the high chance of recovery, Santam lists the following benefits of installing a tracking device:

Reduction in insurance premiums. “The reduction will depend on your risk profile, type of vehicle and where you live, but all other things being equal, a car owner with a tracking device will pay a lower premium each month than a car owner without one,” Kemp says. “In some cases, the monthly discount on the premium will be higher than the monthly cost of the device.”
Less downtime. Quick recoveries mean that in many cases, consumers and businesses are not left stranded without transportation for long periods.
Roadside assistance. The tracking subscription may include a roadside assistance service in the event of a breakdown, although insurers generally offer this service on vehicle policies whether there is a tracking device or not.
Additional features and services. Depending on the option, the service may include app-based tracking in real time, a trip logbook and, for businesses, fleet management.

“The more South Africans can be proactive in thwarting criminals, the more we can bring down the crime levels in our country, and one way to do that is by installing a tracking device in your car,” Kemp states.

Source: Moonstone

Tips to prevent driveway hijackings

Shaun Marshall — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 12:46:28 +0000

Research published by insurance body, MiWay recently stated the most common area where hijackings took place was at home, in the driveway. This aligned with information that Crime SA developed that pointed to an estimated 71 percent of car hijackings occurring in driveways.

Image by Jan Marcus Trapp from Pixabay.

As with most things in life, it is always important to remain alert and aware when you are driving to and from your residence. You can make a massive and positive difference to your safety by simply being aware of what is happening around your vehicle.

“As a responsible driver, you must remove all distractions to keep 100 percent of your attention on the road, other road users, and on the safe operation of the vehicle you are driving,” said Charnel Hattingh, group head of communications and marketing at Fidelity Services Group.

“Basic personal safety habits can go a long way to preventing a hijacking from happening in your driveway. We hope these tips can help you and your family be safe, and we suggest that you also share them with other family members or friends for when they drive to and from home,” explained Hattingh.

Who is following you? Keep checking the rearview mirror for any vehicles that might be following you. If you see a suspicious vehicle behind you, drive past your gate and circle the block. If they are still behind you, drive to the nearest police station immediately.
Check the street before opening the gate. Do not open your garage door or your sliding gate until you check that there are no vehicles loitering in your street.
Break your routine. Criminals often rely on predictable behaviour and patterns. If you vary your routines to and from work or the road you take to the shops, you make it more difficult for them to plan a hijacking.
Confirm your arrival time. Let your family members at home know when you are due to arrive home so that they can immediately raise the alarm in case your arrival is delayed for whatever reason.

“In the sad situation where you do become a victim of a hijacking, it is critical to remain calm and to comply with instructions. Try to notice as much information as you can about the hijackers and the backup car they might be using,” advised Hattingh.

Speak to your insurance provider about the vehicle tracking device they recommend, she noted. “This could help you in the safe and quick recovery of your vehicle,” Hattingh concluded.

Source: Rising Sun

Young, wild – but ‘not so free’ if something goes wrong

Shaun Marshall — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 10:45:32 +0000

Why young South Africans also need insurance

South Africans are unfortunately notoriously bad savers. A recent study showed that less than 30% of people save toward an emergency fund for when something unexpected – and costly – occurs. For young people specifically, who are still building up their financial means, not having a fall-back for when things go wrong could be seriously costly.

This is according to Marius Kemp, Head of Personal Lines Underwriting at leading insurer Santam, who says that National Youth Month presents a good opportunity to remind people about the value of insurance and the freedom it provides for peace of mind.

“Insurance is traditionally seen as a grudge purchase, particularly amongst 18- to 25-year-olds who are starting their exciting career and financial journeys”.

“Coupled with this, most South Africans do not have a ‘rainy day fund’ for emergencies. Typically, most young people who are still working on starting to build savings, would not have R20 000 to R100 000 (or more) saved up and waiting to cover the cost of vehicle damages following an accident or paying for another third-party vehicle, or to cover theft or damages to assets and movable items such as laptops and high-end mobile phones. Arguably, young people need insurance even more than more established adults with a nest egg”.

Kemp explains that young people need insurance in order to protect their assets, have protection from legal liability and to build an insurance profile as they are in the beginning journey of their lives.

“This is especially important because, in general, younger individuals are perceived as a slightly higher risk – depending on which phase of their lives they are in. Starting to build a good insurance profile early on will be beneficial – much like a good credit history. It may also help to bring down premiums in the longer term, which are typically higher amongst 18 to 25 year olds due to the higher risk profile.”

Speaking about factors that are considered when determining an individual’s risk profile, Kemp says that previous claims history is very important. He adds that specific client profile data such as age, location and security measures of the risk, size of insured assets in terms of value, and the type of insured items especially related to vehicles are all considered by insurers.

According to claims trends from Santam, young people primarily tend to claim for house contents, personal effects such as portable technological equipment (including cell phones and laptops) and vehicle claims.

“The frequency and severity of vehicle claims for young people (18 – 25) are much higher than older clients. We would suggest that young drivers take out products that help to promote good driver behaviour where they can monitor and strive to improve their day-to-day driving.”

To improve their risk profile and possibly bring down their monthly premiums Kemp suggests that young people:

Opt for a voluntary excess to bring down premiums;
Beef up home and general security to be better than the minimum required;
Install a telematics device which can also help reduce the vehicle premiums;
Keep claims to minimum by self-insuring the low value claims would result in a lower premium increase at renewal.

When comparing insurance policies from different insurers, Kemp urges young South Africans to ensure they are comparing apples with apples.

“Looking carefully at excess structure, type of cover provided, value added services, claim overturn ratio, and reputable claim paying record especially in terms of widespread catastrophes is critical when deciding on an insurer.”

He concludes that brokers have sound knowledge of the insurance environment – and the specific needs of young people.

“A good insurance broker will give good advice on insurance matters to help you secure a product that fits into your life and budget and – most importantly – gives you the freedom to seize life’s opportunities”.

Source: FA News

SA driver’s licence validity period to remain unchanged

Shaun Marshall — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 12:50:27 +0000

Government says it is ‘critical’ to maintain the five-year validity period on driver’s licenses until health-related issues are resolved.

The current five-year period is said to be tied to drivers’ health, including eye tests.

The validity period of South African driver’s licenses will remain unchanged at five years and will not be extended to eight or 10 years.

This decision comes despite previous statements from former transport minister Fikile Mbalula and current transport minister Sindisiwe Chikunga indicating that the validity period would be extended.

According to Chikunga and Road Traffic Management Corporation CEO Makhosini Msibi, the proposal to extend the validity period was not presented to Cabinet for approval, writes Moneyweb.

However, Chikunga stated in August last year that the proposal would be presented to Cabinet “soon.”

She said the decision to consider an extension was based on an investigation spearheaded by Mbalula, who wanted to assess the international standards on extending licence validity periods.

EXTENDING VALIDITY TO 10 YEARS

In September 2022, Mbalula announced that Cabinet had approved the introduction of a new smart card driving licence in South Africa and that the Department of Transport (DoT) had proposed extending the validity period from five years to between eight and 10 years.

He mentioned that the DoT had received full support from provincial transport MECs for this review.

Msibi told Moneyweb that a study was conducted to explore the feasibility and justification for extending the driving licence validity period.

He noted that the validity period “should be extended for 20 years or it should be timeless” but emphasised that the current five-year period is tied to drivers’ health, including eye tests.

Msibi said that many accidents are linked to communicable and other diseases, making it “critical” to maintain the current validity period until these health and safety issues are addressed.

While the licence card expires, the driving licence itself does not, he added. The card’s expiration allows for updates on the driver’s health status.

LICENCE RENEWAL DELAYS

It is unclear however whether motorists will have to undergo a medical check-up before renewing their driver’s licence.

Automobile Association (AA) spokesperson Layton Beard argues that extending the period does align with international standards. He added that it would benefit motorists by reducing delays in licence renewals.

He did not want speculate on the reasons for government flip flopping on its proposal, but confirmed that driving licence renewals are “an income for government”.

Wayne Duvenage, CEO of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), called government’s decision to maintain the five-year validity period “ludicrous,” citing the administrative burden and costs for consumers.

Source: The South African

A tense week for SA as riot warnings issued ahead of election

Shaun Marshall — Mon, 27 May 2024 11:49:10 +0000

This week’s elections are likely to be the most tightly contested in the past 30 years. Image: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg

Traffic on the N2 and N3 in Durban was brought to a standstill on Friday by taxi drivers protesting the impounding of taxis by police.

With elections just two days away, the South African Police Service (SAPS) is on high alert in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, where 43 licensed firearms have been confiscated.

While these protests appear opportunistic, there are fears that political operatives will seize the opportunity to escalate tensions, especially if it is found that voting did not go their way once the results are announced.

These fears have been heightened following the Constitutional Court ruling a week ago that former president Jacob Zuma, the face of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), may appear on the ballot papers but may not serve in parliament due to his June 2021 conviction for contempt of court.

Though government appears to be downplaying the threats of violence around the elections, Fidelity and FirstRand have both issued warnings of potential riots in the coming days.

There were also unconfirmed social media reports of breaches of Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) ballot storage sites in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the Western Cape.

At a media briefing on Sunday, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints) said it has implemented an early warning system to detect and identify all security risks ahead of the election.

The threatened truck strike a week ago was called off at the last-minute following intervention by Natjoints and government officials. The All-Truck Drivers Forum and Allied SA (ATDF-SA) threatened to disrupt traffic until the government meets its demands to rid the country of foreigners in the trucking industry.

“The transport industry is once again urged to hold peaceful talks amongst each other and to find ways of amicably resolving their disputes,” said Natjoints in a statement.

“They are also reminded that the blocking of roads as a way of venting is a criminal offence and law enforcement agencies will act decisively against anyone be found to be in contravention with the law. Their vehicles will be impounded, and they will be brought before court to answer to crimes committed. No one is above the law and the rule of law will always be applied according to relevant prescripts.”

Warnings

Business appears to be bracing for trouble both before and after the election. A leaked internal memo from banking group FirstRand warned that it expected protest action by some MKP members in May and June, and there was a risk of repeating the 2021 unrest that rocked KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng when Zuma was sentenced to prison.

Those riots were reckoned to have cost the economy about R50 billion.

According to News24, the risks cited by FirstRand include intimidation, malicious damage to property, arson, barricading of roads, looting, hijacking of trucks, and political violence. The provinces most at risk are KwaZulu-Natal and, to a lesser extent, Gauteng and Mpumalanga.

The Free State, Northern Cape, North West and Limpopo were also cited as potential hotspots.

KwaZulu-Natal SAPS spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda asked FirstRand to share whatever information it has with police intelligence so that proper planning could be done, and to assess whether the information could be substantiated.

Fidelity Business Intelligence issued a notice of its own, warning that several parts of the country – mainly in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Free State and Mpumalanga – were at risk of violence similar to that seen in 2021.

While some MKP members have been more strident in their reaction to the Constitutional Court ruling, the party itself adopted a more measured response.

“The MK Party acknowledges the Constitutional Court judgment, that President Zuma is not eligible to stand as a member of MK Party in the National Assembly,” it said.

“This unsurprising decision has not disheartened us.

“It reinforced our conviction that the current system, where 10 unelected individuals can make lifetime decisions for 62 million people, is flawed.

“Also, 6 of the 10 judges were conflicted but refused to recuse themselves.

“We assure South Africans that we remain steadfast and undeterred by the enemies of the poor, whether they be in robes or acting as agents of white monopoly capital.”

In an April analysis, the Institute for Security Studies says while threats of violence cannot be ignored, the state appears to be taking them more seriously than in 2021.

Apart from tensions between the ANC and MKP, there are under-reported tensions between the ANC and Inkatha Freedom Party.

The post-election period is also likely to be tense as polls show the ANC winning less than 50% of the vote. Losing political parties may take to the streets to ramp up pressure as many parts of the country enter the era of coalition government.

Police are reportedly monitoring key highways for potential signs of trouble, particularly from truckers, who were key instigators of the 2021 riots. More than 200 foreign truck drivers have been murdered in SA in recent years, prompting a complaint by foreign truckers associations at the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague in the Netherlands, which says it is monitoring the situation of foreign drivers in SA.

The Department of Home Affairs appears to have been stepping up its campaign against illegal immigrants over the past 12 months, resulting in the arrest of 67 853 illegal immigrants and 2 504 employers for contravening the Immigration Act.

Several parties are campaigning against illegal foreigners amid claims that they are responsible for much of what is wrong in SA, from official unemployment sitting at about 33% and rampant crime.

Human rights bodies and diplomats have warned of the potential for xenophobia around the elections.

This week’s elections are likely to be the most tightly contested in the last 30 years, with some 70 political parties and 11 independent candidates vying for seats in parliament.

Economic implications

Capital Economics notes that SA looks set to herald a new era of coalition government.

“There are lots of permutations ranging from a centrist ANC-DA coalition to a so-called ‘doomsday coalition’ in which the ANC teams up with the left-wing EFF (although we suspect that some of the EFF’s more radical proposals would never see the light of day),” it says.

“One broader point is that, whichever parties govern, a more fragmented parliament is likely to make the jobs of stabilising the public finances and tackling structural economic problems even more difficult.

“During the next parliamentary term, we think the public debt ratio will continue to rise while GDP growth will stay weak at around 1.0-1.5% a year.”

Source: Moneyweb

Criminals are after these 4 items in South Africa

Shaun Marshall — Mon, 13 May 2024 09:39:17 +0000

– and they’re looking for homes that have them!

Fidelity ADT has warned homeowners that criminals are eyeing homes in South Africa to target items such as gas bottles, gate motors, tyres, and rims.

In a series of alerts, Fidelity ADT said that branches had received recent reports indicating a crime trend where opportunistic thieves are entering yards or jumping over fences to steal gas battles, irrespective of the size.

The security group added that this trend has especially been noted in Ballito and Stanger, with several reported incidents in the Glen Hills area over the past week.

Another notable target—specifically in Gauteng—is the theft of gate motors.

The group said stolen gate motors are either stripped down and their various components (batteries, gearboxes, etc.) sold individually, or they are sold as complete units to unsuspecting homeowners by these “access automation bandits”, as they are often referred to.

It added there is also a worrying trend of suspects deactivating the gate motor and accessing the property while on manual override.

Once gaining access, the criminals (along with gas bottles) are also after the tyres and rims of cars in the driveway or yard.

“Within the Fidelity ADT footprint, there is a growing trend where suspects are stealing tyres from cars parked in yards during the night.

“The suspects sneak in, remove the tyres, throw them over the wall, and leave,” it said.

The security group added that the criminals typically scout the area during the day, sometimes even poisoning dogs, and then return later to steal what they want.

“This is not a random act. We urge all residents not to become complacent about their perimeter security,” the group said.

“Residents are urged to remain vigilant and not to leave anything to chance. If you see anything suspicious in or around your neighbourhood, report it immediately to your private security company and local SAPS.”

Break-ins on the rise

According to the SAPS’ crime statistics for the third quarter of 2023/24, burglaries at residential premises decreased by 4.4% year-on-year. However, compared to the second quarter of 2023, burglaries at residential premises increased by 6.8%.

Additionally, although robberies with aggravated circumstances at houses increased by only 1.7% compared to the previous year, they were up almost 5.2% from the second quarter.

This shows an increasing trend for both break-ins and robberies in South Africa.

Data captured at police stations across the country recorded 40,751 cases of home burglaries between October and December 2023—roughly 453 incidents a day.

Meanwhile, the SAPS recorded 6,360 house robberies over the same period – or 71 every day.

THESE are the most commonly stolen car parts in South Africa

Protect yourself and your vehicle against the theft of these most stolen car parts in South Africa. Some of these items will surprise you …

You might be surprised to see which are the most stolen car parts in South Africa. Image: File/Fotor

It’s common knowledge that Mzansi is battling a vehicle hijacking epidemic, but did you know there’s a multi-million-Rand for blackmarket stolen car parts in South Africa, too? As The South African has already reported, vehicle hijackings are endemic to Mzansi, with SAPS reporting 5 511 cars hijacked/stolen in the last three months. Do that math and you work out that’s 1 800 per month, or 60 per day!

With most cars destined for smuggling across the Mozambique or Zimbabwe border, there is just as much demand for individual stolen car parts in South Africa. A recent report from TopAuto found these are most pilfered car parts by Mzansi’s criminals …

MOST STOLEN CAR PARTS IN SOUTH AFRICA

A bakkie’s tailgate finds excellent money on the black market, so fit additional lockable protection like a canopy/cover. Image: File

According to a Cartrack report, bakkie tailgates, (un-deployed) airbags, vehicle batteries, tow hitches, wheels and tyres are the most commonly stolen car parts in South Africa. Theft of these individual components – unlike hijackings – stays within SA’s borders. And in terms of sheer volume, stolen car parts in South Africa are higher because it’s easier to hide the goods and harder to trace than an entire vehicle.

Cartrack says there is big demand for cheap, readily available parts on the black market. Local chop shops are a R442-million per year industry. In fact, reselling car parts striped from a vehicle is seen as better business by many in the trade. Simply because it’s less traceable than hiding, smuggling and reselling an enitre stolen vehicle.

SEASONED THIEVES AT WORK

Anyone who’s had a battery stolen will know just how inconvenient and expensive it is. Image: File

That is why you need to take care against seasoned thieves for whom this type of work is easy. Cartrack says professional thieves can remove all four wheels from your car in just five minutes. Grabbing a bakkie tailgate is done in just two minutes. This sells for as much as R2 500 on the black market, therefore making it highly sought-after.

That’s roughly the same time it takes to steal your vehicle battery, rendering your car immobile. If you’ve had to buy a new replacement battery lately, you’ll know just how expensive they are. So, here’s what you can do to protect yourself and your ride against part thieves in South Africa:

Fit a sturdy, lockable canopy to protect your bakkie’s tailgate.
Equip your wheels with locknuts.
Fit extra reinforcement to your battery bracket.
Always park in a busy, visible and well-lit area.
Double-check that your vehicle is locked when you leave it.
Stash valuables out of sight.
Avoid driving through high-risk areas and known hijacking hotspots.
Never connect to unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks from your car.
Don’t be lured out of your car for any reason.
Fit your vehicle with a GPS tracker so it can be located in the event of theft/hijacking.

Source: Affluencer & The South African

Smash-and-grab warning in South Africa – what you need to know

Shaun Marshall — Mon, 06 May 2024 14:15:37 +0000

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has warned Gauteng motorists that criminals are taking advantage of non-operating traffic lights plaguing the roads to steal valuables from cars caught in the traffic.

Despite a recent break-in load-shedding, many areas within the City of Johannesburg are currently plagued with non-functioning traffic lights.

This has led to an accumulation of traffic at these intersections, causing severe congestion that can last for hours.

The resulting traffic delays have created a perfect opportunity for criminals to carry out smash-and-grab incidents, leaving many motorists feeling vulnerable and unsafe.

According to Gauteng law enforcement, thieves disguise themselves as beggars or vendors, scout vehicles in traffic for accessible personal belongings, and strike at the first opportunity.

Additionally, Security experts noted that traffic lights across the country remain a hotspot for hijackings and cautioned South African motorists to stay alert while filling up, note their surroundings and suspicious characters in the area, and keep their doors locked.

Areas flagged by law enforcement for these crimes include:

Alexandra
Beyers Naude Drive
Crown Interchange
Diepsloot
Johannesburg CBD
Malibongwe Drive
Midrand
Moroka (Soweto)
Orange Farm
Randburg

The recent spate of smash-and-grab incidents has followed another similar one that recently occurred on the M1 freeway in Johannesburg.

During the rush hour traffic on the M1-M2 freeway split, a group of armed robbers took advantage of the gridlock traffic and robbed several motorists at gunpoint.

The motorists had nowhere to go and were forced to surrender their valuables, including cell phones.

According to reports, the criminals behind this act are believed to be part of illegal mining operations in the area.

This incident has raised concerns about the safety of people who commute on the highways in Gauteng during peak-hour traffic.

In response to the incident, the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, has ordered a maximum mobilisation of officers along Gauteng highways and other strategic locations during peak hours to avoid such incidents in the future.

The SAPS Highway Patrol, SAPS Airwing, and Gauteng Flying Squad units have also been assigned to conduct regular patrols on routes identified as high-risk.

This move by the SAPS aims to ensure the safety of commuters and prevent such incidents from happening again.

Speaking to eNCA, the spokesperson for the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), Xolani Fihla, said the increased police patrols on dangerous roads have yielded both positive and negative results.

While minor crimes have decreased, the JMPD has noticed an increase in serious vehicle-related crimes.

Fihla stated that smash-and-grab incidents have reduced, but crimes like robberies with aggravating circumstances have increased.

The JMPD advises motorists to remain vigilant on the road and report any crimes they witness to help the authorities catch the thieves.

Source: Affluencer

Highway robbery ‘spikes’ in South Africa – latest tactics and hotspots

Shaun Marshall — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 11:14:20 +0000

There has been a notable increase in the number of reported cases of criminals placing spikes or objects on public roads with the intention of robbing them, especially in and around Pretoria.

Speaking to eNCA, Crime Watch’s Yusuf Abramjee noted that the reports of these criminal tactics have increased over the past few months despite the modus operandi being a concern in South Africa for some time.

Although spiking attempts can happen anytime, they are more likely to occur after dark. The perpetrators take advantage of the darkness to hide the hazards from unsuspecting drivers until it’s too late for them to brake or avoid the spikes.

The main objective of these criminals is to damage a vehicle, particularly its tyres, causing the driver to pull over and assess the situation. These criminals mainly use spikes made from nails and wood or big stones and other objects.

Once the driver pulls over, they are vulnerable to robbery and may lose their possessions.

Abramjee highlighted that the notable hotspots for spiking at the moment are the N4 from Pretoria to Rustenburg and the N4 on the way to Mpumalanga.

This seems to correlate to the hotspots registered by the Gauteng Traffic Police, which identified the following as spiking hotspots:

N4 Mpumalanga to Pretoria between Solomon Mahlangu and Watermeyer off-ramp.
N4 Pretoria to Mpumalanga between Bronkhorstspruit and Balmoral off-ramp.
N1 Polokwane N4 Mpumalanga interchange in Pretoria.
N4 to Rustenburg between R80 Mabopane Freeway and Brits Plaza tollgate.
Golden Highway.
R21 Freeway from OR Tambo International Airport to Pretoria.
R562 in Olifantsfontein
N12 in Witbank, under the Merridale bridge
N12 between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom
N3 between Leondale and Barry Marais Road
N17 between Rondebult and Heidelberg Road

Abramjee added that incidents have been reported on secondary adjacent roads in and around those areas.

The Gauteng Traffic Police added these criminals move from one area to the other, where the roads are quiet, to rob motorists of their hard-earned cash and other belongings.

“These incidents happen especially on Friday evenings and throughout the weekend between 18h00 and 04h00 in the morning,” said the Traffic Police.

It has also been noted that spiking cases tend to rise over the weekend on quiet stretches of road, as this increases the odds of the criminals catching a lone vehicle unawares.

Due to the low visibility and high speeds at which they occur, the nature of the crime makes it quite difficult to completely safeguard oneself from the criminals.

However, MasterDrive CEO Eugene Herbert has provided a few methods with which motorists can reduce their risk on the roads and increase their chances of avoiding the horrid situation.

These include:

Avoid driving over anything on the road, including plastic bags
When passing under a bridge, change lanes just before you pass
Reduce your speed to increase your chances of seeing obstacles on the road
Concrete lintels are being used as well. If you cannot avoid them any other way, slow down and carefully drive over them
If the circumstances allow, travel straddling two lanes, as it may help you miss spikes being placed in the lane
If there is another vehicle present, drive six seconds or more behind so their driving can alert you if anything is amiss
If you spot an obstacle before you reach it, move into the emergency lane or onto the grass if that section of the highway allows for it

If the unfortunate happens and you do hit a spike, reduce your speed to approximately 30-40km/h and continue driving to the nearest place of safety instead of stopping immediately.

“If you do not make it to a place of safety but do obtain some distance between yourself and the criminals, get out of your car and safely find a place to conceal yourself and call for help,” said Herbert.

Source: Business Tech