City of Coal dominates Mpumalanga hijacking rankings as all stations hit the top 30
Emalahleni becomes a continuous carjacking zone across Mpumalanga rankings.
If you are driving through the City of Coal, keep your eyes on your mirrors and your doors locked.
The latest 2025/2026 fourth-quarter crime statistics have laid bare a terrifying reality: the City of Coal is officially the carjacking capital of the province.
For everyday drivers and commuters, navigating the region’s roads has become a high-stakes gamble.
The stat was released on June 8 by Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, alongside acting provincial SAPS commissioner Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi.
According to the official figures, Witbank Police Station has skyrocketed to number one in Mpumalanga for carjackings, a ranking so severe it places the station at 23rd nationally.
Right on its bumper is Vosman Police Station, which secured the second-highest spot in the province and ranked 37th across South Africa.
But the crisis doesn’t stop at the city limits. The entire coal belt is blinking red on the police radar, with every single police station in the City of Coal forcing its way into the provincial top 30 for vehicle theft.
Read more here: Crime hits hard in the City of Coal
Ogies Police Station ranked fourth, Phola Police Station ranked sixth, and Kriel Police Station ranked 26th.
Heavy freight also under fire
It isn’t just everyday motorists being targeted by organised crime networks. The region’s vital coal and freight supply routes are under heavy siege.
Kriel Police Station maintained its notorious reputation for transit crime, recording the second-highest number of truck hijacking cases in the entire province.
Homes and businesses under pressure
The threat doesn’t end when motorists pull out of traffic.
Residential and commercial robberies remain widespread across the district, proving that these syndicates easily transition from roadside ambushes into personal and commercial spaces.
Vosman ranks fourth in robbery at residential premises, while Witbank ranks 12th. Phola and Ogies are also heavily featured on the watchlists, placing 18th and 30th, respectively.
In business robberies, Vosman leads the province, followed immediately by Witbank, with Ogies ranking fourth, underscoring a severe concentration of commercial targeting along the coal corridor.
Kidnapping remains elevated
Adding to the terror for local drivers is a sharp rise in kidnappings, a crime category that increasingly overlaps with vehicle hijackings and extortion syndicates.
Witbank topped the provincial rankings yet again, while Vosman was placed fourth, further highlighting the extreme lawlessness gripping the area.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the fight against crime cannot be won by the police alone. Sustainable crime reduction requires active participation from communities, business, civil society and all spheres of government,” officials said during the briefing.
🚨 HAPPENING NOW | MPUMALANGA CRIME STATISTICS RELEASE
— GCIS_Mpumalanga (@GCISMpumalanga) June 8, 2026
Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Mr Jackie Macie, together with Acting Provincial SAPS Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, are currently presenting the Fourth Quarter 2025/2026 Crime… pic.twitter.com/9yCq7xGnTC
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