What Is the Latest on Hijacking, and What Should You Know?

Hijacking remains a great concern in Eswatini, and it’s important to keep up with the trends and know what to expect. In today’s article, we give you recent hijacking stats as well as emerging trends, and also highlight the difference a car tracking device can make.

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The current hijacking landscape in Eswatini

The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) crime statistics for 2025 indicate a substantial 61.5% decrease in car hijacking cases nationwide. While this sharp decline is a positive sign for public safety, it does not mean motorists are entirely out of harm’s way. The police have warned that the risk remains concentrated in specific urban and industrial hubs, with areas like Matsapha, Manzini, and the Mbabane-Manzini corridor continuing to be monitored as zones where vehicle theft and criminal opportunism persist.

Area overview of hijacking statistics

Manzini and Hhohho remain the top two regions with the highest vehicle-related crime rates. A notable shift in recent statistics is the emergence of the Lubombo region as a high-risk zone, primarily driven by its role as a transit corridor for vehicles being smuggled into Mozambique.

The hotspots for each of these provinces are as follows:

Manzini Region (The Industrial Hub)

As the economic center, Manzini accounts for the largest share of carjackings.

• Matsapha: Targeted due to the high volume of commercial delivery vehicles and luxury executive cars.
• Manzini Bus Rank: High pedestrian density provides cover for opportunistic “smash-and-grabs” that can escalate to carjacking.
• The MR3 Highway (Manzini-Mbabane): The busiest road in the Kingdom; hijackers often target stationary vehicles at off-ramps or those involved in “staged” minor accidents.

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Hhohho Region (The Capital & Tourism Belt)

• Ezulwini: The “Valley of Heaven” is a hotspot for high-value SUVs and 4x4s, which are highly sought after by regional syndicates.

• Mbabane CBD: Specifically dimly lit parking areas around shopping centers and government offices.

Lubombo Region (The Transit Corridor)

The “shocker” in the latest 2025/2026 trends is the rise in activity around Siteki and Lomahasha.

• Criminals utilize the proximity to the Mozambique border to quickly move stolen vehicles out of the country before tracking systems can be fully engaged.

Targeted vehicles

Between 2025 and early 2026, the top targeted vehicle types in Eswatini were bakkies, 4x4s, and double cabs, amounting to approximately 45% of all incidents. Sedans and hatchbacks came in second, amounting to roughly 35% of all vehicle-related crimes. SUVs and luxury crossovers made up 15%, placing them in third place.

Bakkies and 4x4s, particularly the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger, are the most targeted vehicles because they are in high demand across the border in Mozambique and for navigating rural Eswatini terrain. The growth of courier services in Mbabane and Manzini has resulted in a rise in bike hijackings, with criminals luring delivery drivers to secluded spots using fake orders. Trucks over 3500kg are emerging as targets on the MR3 highway because of the valuable cargo they carry, such as electronics, fuel, and FMCG goods. Models like the VW Polo and Toyota Corolla are often targeted for local quick-sale markets or to be used as getaway vehicles in other criminal activities because they blend into traffic easily.

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Common hijacking tactics you should know about

The common hijacking tactics you should be aware of include:

• Exploiting traffic congestion

• Staged emergencies/breakdowns

• The blockage method

• The tap-tap method

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Criminals are constantly trying to find better ways to target people, and knowing how these common tactics work can help you avoid falling victim.

Here’s how they work:

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Exploiting traffic congestion

This is when criminals go into slow-moving traffic or busy intersections knowing that victims will have no chance to speed off or change lanes. The thieves box in the targeted car by stopping in front of or behind the driver.

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Staged emergencies/breakdowns

In this case of world-class acting, thieves usually stage an injury or a breakdown in the middle of the road, prompting you to stop and help. Once you get out of the car, they forcefully take control of your car.

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The blockage method

This is also known as the driveway method, where criminals target drive-throughs, toll gates, and driveways. One car will pull in front of your car while another goes behind, once again “boxing” you in.

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The tap-tap method

The tap-tap method refers to when criminals slightly bump your car, often at a stop sign or traffic light, making it look like a minor accident and prompting you to step out and assess the situation. Once you get out, they’ll overpower you and take the vehicle.

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What Cartrack can do for you in a hijacking situation

Cartrack is a leading vehicle tracking service provider. Our solutions are specifically designed to help you in hijacking situations, ensuring you get quick help and can get your car back. Our top solutions for hijackings include:

• Stolen Vehicle Recovery

• Panic button

• Dashcam

• Crash detection

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Here’s how they work:

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Stolen Vehicle Recovery

At Cartrack, we offer one of the best Stolen Vehicle Recovery (SVR) services at an affordable price. We’ve got a 24 hr control room service that is always ready for your call and skilled recovery teams that are available nationwide, ensuring that we find your vehicle wherever it goes. Over the past ten years, we’ve conducted over 100 000 vehicle recoveries, proving our dedication towards combating this vicious crime.

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Road Vision camera

The Road Vision camera is a front-facing dashcam that gives you a full record of everything that happens in front of you while you drive. This can serve as evidence of the incident, helping you identify things like the licence plates of the perpetrators as well as their faces.

As hijacking is also a very traumatic experience, some people tend to forget the sequence of events when it’s time to give a police statement. Having a dashcam helps you recall everything and show the police, as you’ll have the footage on our cloud storage platform.

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Panic button

As an additional safety measure, our Road Vision camera also has what we call an “action button” that you can press to silently call for help in emergencies. This helps you call for help as soon as you suspect that you’re about to be hijacked.

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Crash Detection

Since hijackers crash into you or bump into things while trying to get away, our Crash Detection solution might help. This is a value-added service where we can detect impact on your vehicle. We’ll then contact you or your loved one to find out the kind of help you need, then send it through.

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Stay protected on every trip—get Cartrack on your side

Crime evolves with time, and hijacking remains a great concern in Eswatini. It’s important that you stay updated with the latest vehicle theft trends and also invest in technology that will help you in those situations. By partnering with us, you increase the chance of vehicle recovery, as well as your safety while you drive. So contact us, and protect your car today!