A collaborative approach

Tracker reveals that, based on its customer base of some 300 000 vehicles, hijacking in South Africa appears to be showing significant signs of decline.

At its peak in 1999, hijacking constituted 54 percent of all Tracker's activations* versus only 31 percent so far in 2005.

This represents a 43 percent drop in hijacking.

Over the past five years there has been a steady, if not continuous decline in hijacking as a percentage of Tracker's total activations.

Says Tracker's communications manager, Gareth Crocker: "Although we obviously do not claim that our statistics are a direct reflection of the climate of hijacking in South Africa, we do feel they provide a reasonable indication.

“And while we are veryencouraged by this trend, we are well aware that the war is far from won; hijacking remains a major problem for the country."

Tracker's statistics also suggest that vehicle theft in general (including hijacking) is on the decline.

"Interestingly, our statistics also show that despite our increasing subscriber base, our activations have reached a plateau.

This is again an indication, certainly from our base, that vehicle theft is on the decline," says Crocker.

So what does Tracker believe are some of the factors contributing towards a decline in hijacking?

"While we don't presume to have all the answers, we firmly believe it is a result of a collaborative effort of many different elements.

Tracker says that their partnership with the South African Police Service, with some24 000 vehicle recoveries, 5200 arrests and the shutting down of 250 chop shops and crime syndicates over the past eight years has played a role in bringing down both vehicle theft and hijacking.

Says Micheal Sales, SAPS Superintendent of Serious and Violent Crime: "The launch of Project Ngena in Gauteng in 2003 has had a major impact on hijacking.

A total of seven specialised hijack task teams were established in the province to focus almost exclusively on hijackings. This was backed up by the formation of eight special courts each dedicated to dealing with hijacking cases.

"Apart from the additional manpower, one of the key aspects of the project has been the establishment of a central database where information on suspects and cases can now be shared between the various teams.

This has enabled us to track criminals and investigate each case more intelligently with regards to trends, modus operandi and crime syndicate activity.

We now have the infrastructure to properly analyse hijacking incidents and investigate cases on a far more detailed basis. Although the project is only running in Gauteng, its effect is being felt around the country."

Lorinda Nel, Business Against Crime Project Manager - Organised Crime, agrees that Project Ngena is a major factor in the decline of hijackings.

"Project Ngena was launched in Gauteng in 2003 because at that time it was believed that 62 percent of all South Africa's hijackings took place in the province. Since then we've seen a notable decline in hijacking.

Each of the seven hijack task teams is headed-up by a co-ordinator and comprises an investigative component, a crime intelligence arm and a rapid response division. The seven teams collectively number more than 250 police officers.

Of critical importance has been the formation of the eight dedicated courts.

Since their introduction, the conviction rate for hijackers has jumped to 80 percent. Cases are finalised within three months and the current average sentencing is 12 years.

It's worth noting that in 2004 alone, figures reflect that hijacking has dropped by some 24 percent.

"The key to tackling hijacking going forward is that we continue to get buy-in, not only from the government, but from the communities and private sector as well.

"The burden of violent crime shouldn't rest only on the police and the government. We can all play a role," explains Nel.

"A special incentive programme, in partnership with OUTsurance, has been established for the task teams where both teams and individuals that excel receive personal rewards and recognition for their achievements."

This, Nel believes, is another reason for their success.

There are hopes that initiatives such as Project Ngena will be rolled out to other regions in due course.