The Gauteng government is committed to eradicating crime as part of its ongoing efforts to boost trade and investment.Premier Panyaza Lesufi recently urged the Chinese government to assist the province in combating rampant crime in South Africa. Speaking at a business cooperation promotion conference in Johannesburg, Lesufi emphasised that crime was one of the biggest issues that had to be tackled head-on. He called for the investment of resources, skills and technology, stating that it was the most crucial area where the province sought help.According to Gerhard Marais of the Road Freight Association (RFA), truck hijackings remain a major concern. “To improve the reporting of these crimes and facilitate information sharing, the RFA is lauching a WhatsApp group where anyone can report incidents and share details. The aim is to increase awareness and drive more proactive measures against these crimes,” he said.According to statistics from Tracker, Gauteng remains the province with the highest volume of business vehicle-related crime, accounting for 56% of incidents. Fast-moving consumer goods continue to be prime targets for criminals, exacerbated by the surge in online shopping during the Covid-19 pandemic, making courier vehicles especially vulnerable.Tracker research reveals that criminal syndicates employ various tactics to target freight and delivery vehicles. These include the use of blue light gangs, who deceive victims with unmarked vehicles and impersonate law enforcement officers. Other common strategies include broken-down car scams, forced stops, and diversions to hijack vehicles.
