The Gauteng Department of Community Safety is calling on courier companies and delivery drivers to exercise vigilance following a notable spike in incidents of courier vehicles being targeted by criminal syndicates across the province.

The department stated that courier drivers play a critical role in the movement of goods and essential services, making them attractive targets for criminals seeking to steal valuable parcels, electronic devices and vehicles.

The department urged operators to remain alert, particularly when making deliveries in unfamiliar areas or locations identified as high-risk.

The department has advised them to avoid deviating from planned delivery routes, refrain from stopping in isolated areas, and remain aware of suspicious individuals or vehicles that may be following them.

“Where possible, deliveries should be co-ordinated through secure verification processes, and drivers should avoid displaying valuable items or discussing delivery contents with unauthorised persons.

“Courier companies are encouraged to strengthen their security measures by ensuring that vehicles are fitted with functional tracking devices, maintaining regular communication with drivers, conducting risk assessments for delivery routes, and providing employees with safety awareness and hijacking response training,” said the department.

The department shared that companies should also establish clear emergency protocols to ensure rapid reporting and response when incidents occur.

While the provincial government continues to deploy e-Policing solutions such as CCTV cameras, helicopters, e-Panic buttons and helicopters, among other technologies, to fight crime, law enforcement agencies working with private security companies continue to increase their visibility to combat vehicle-related crimes and dismantle criminal networks targeting motorists and businesses.

As reported in the weekly Provincial Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Security Cluster this week, the Gauteng Traffic Police (GTP) airwing, working with various law enforcement agencies, recently carried out an intelligence-led operation and ensured the arrest of five suspects and one fatally wounded following information received regarding suspects who allegedly hijacked a company vehicle in Winchester Hills, Mondeor, in Johannesburg South.

According to the department, officials managed to recover the hijacked vehicle, three suspects’ vehicles and an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

In a separate operation, two suspects involved in courier company robberies and other violent crimes were fatally wounded in Reiger Park, Boksburg.

The department explained that law enforcement officials were deployed in the area following information received that the suspects were planning to commit a robbery.

As the team tried to stop the suspects, a shoot-out and high-speed chase ensued, resulting in the two suspects being fatally wounded. Unlicensed firearms and ammunition, as well as two motor vehicles, were recovered.

The department has urged the community to remain vigilant when expecting deliveries and to report any information relating to hijackings or suspicious criminal activities to the SAPS by calling Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or by using the MySAPS App.