Motorists in and around Pretoria West are urged to exercise caution when travelling in the area, after police recovered a reportedly hijacked vehicle shortly after the crime.

On August 27, the Pretoria West Crime Prevention Task Team received information about a grey Mercedes-Benz that was allegedly hijacked on the night of August 26.

Station spokesperson Constable Sibongile Vuma said that while the team was patrolling and searching the area of Lotus Gardens, on Mokoena Street, they spotted a grey Mercedes-Benz matching the description.

The team approached the vehicle and inspected it. The VIN was tested and came back positive.

“As per the Pretoria West case reported two days ago, the relevant experts were called to do a further inspection to process the vehicle accordingly. The vehicle was taken to the Pretoria West police vehicle pound for safekeeping and further investigation, as per the case opened for hijacking,” Vuma said.

The station’s management applauded the team for their swift response and reminded them to keep safe while on duty.

“It is indeed a very good success for the station as many hijackings occur in our precinct on a day-to-day basis, and the members in blue have committed to doing their level best in ensuring the safety of our motorists and community at large,” Vuma said.

“We also want to make it a warning statement to the hijackers that Pretoria West SAPS ain’t a home for criminals; they better run while they can or face the consequences of justice,” she added.

Residents are urged to contact their local authorities should they have any information related to this purported hijacking or any other in the area, as police hunt for the suspects.

According to the fourth-quarter crime statistics for the 2025/26 financial year, Mamelodi East, Pretoria West and Akasia recorded the highest number of carjackings in the Tshwane district between January and March 2026.

The figures form part of the official SAPS crime statistics covering crimes reported between January 1 and March 31.

Pretoria West recorded 35 carjackings between January and March, placing the precinct second among Pretoria’s hijacking hotspots.

This was seven fewer than the 42 cases recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.

The precinct ranked 15th nationally for carjackings and 11th in Gauteng.

The figures come amid ongoing police operations targeting vehicle-related crime in Pretoria West.

In August, two alleged hijacking victims were rescued during an intelligence-driven police operation in Lotus Gardens after suspects were believed to have hijacked a VW Polo in the Pretoria West policing precinct.

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