93 CARS STOLEN IN SA EVERY DAY! HOW TO AVOID YOURS FROM BEING STOLEN

THE South African Police Services (SAPS) has revealed some shocking stats.

It said that about 8 597 cars and motorcycles were stolen across all nine provinces in South Africa between July and September 2024.

In average, this means that approximately 93 vehicles were stolen in South Africa every day in the second quarter of 2024/2025.

Gauteng was the worst-affected province over the monitored period with 4,497 cases followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 1,477 reported cases.

Western Cape was in third place with a report of 1,108 stolen cars followed by Eastern Cape with just 381 reported cases.

Mpumalanga is number five at 379 followed by North West at number six with 375 cases.

At number seven is the Free State with 188 stolen cars followed by Limpopo at number eight with only 168 incidents.

Last on the list is the Northern Cape, which saw only 24 incidents of car theft in the second quarter of 2024/2025.

As much as this proves that there’s nowhere you can hide in South Africa, It is important to always try and be cautious, ready and prepared for when such happens to you.

Always make sure your tracker is up to date so that when you need them, they can immediately assist.

Know the emergency contacts so you can get assistance immediately you realise that your car is missing. The sooner you report, the better the chances of finding it.

Make sure your vehicle insurance is up to date for in case your tracker can’t recover your vehicle, insurance can assist.

You can also try these steps in an effort to avoid your car from being stolen.

Use a steering wheel lock:

A steering wheel lock is a visual deterrent that makes it harder for a thief to steal your car. Some steering wheel locks prevent the wheel from turning, while others link the wheel to the gas pedal. 

Lock your car and take your keys

Always lock your car and take your keys with you when you leave the vehicle. 

Keep your car windows closed

Leaving your car windows down can make your car an attractive target for thieves. 

Park in well-lit areas

Parking in well-lit and busy areas makes it more likely that a thief will be seen, which can deter them from attempting to steal your car. 

Avoid leaving valuables in your car

Don’t leave cash, phones, laptops, or other valuables in your car. Before you leave your car, check the seats and other visible areas to make sure nothing is left behind. 

Be careful with spare keys

Keep spare keys in a secure place, such as a drawer or cupboard, and don’t leave them in obvious locations like under floor mats or in the glove compartment. 

Also, avoid driving at night, especially to busy places… Rather park your car at home and use e-hailing.

You can also consider installing a remote car starter, smart car alarm, or kill switch.