Despite easing geopolitical tensions abroad, South Africa’s logistics sector continues to battle a persistent and escalating threat—cargo crime. According to Dr Barbra Duri of the University of Johannesburg, the country’s transport system is under increasing strain, driven largely by the rapid growth of e-commerce and evolving supply chain demands.
Speaking at a recent industry forum, Duri highlighted how shifting consumer behaviour is not only increasing pressure on road freight but also exposing vulnerabilities across ports, airfreight, and digital systems. The rise of AI-driven cyber threats is adding a new dimension to logistics crime, making security challenges more complex than ever.
The data paints a concerning picture. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, South Africa recorded 420 truck hijackings and 2,670 cargo theft incidents. Criminal syndicates are using increasingly sophisticated tactics, including GPS jamming, fake police stops, and insider involvement. Key hotspots include Gauteng and the busy N3 corridor linking inland operations to the Port of Durban.
Historically, cargo crime has fluctuated, but recent years have seen a sharp rise, with incidents climbing significantly מאז 2021. At the same time, South Africa’s e-commerce sector has surged, reaching R71 billion in 2023 and expected to surpass R100 billion soon—further increasing pressure on last-mile delivery networks, which are becoming prime targets for criminals.
Duri emphasised that risks are no longer isolated to one mode of transport. Instead, they are interconnected across road, rail, air, and digital systems, creating a complex, multimodal threat landscape. However, road freight remains the most vulnerable, carrying approximately 85% of the country’s domestic cargo and serving as the backbone of the economy.
The sector contributes an estimated 10–12% to national GDP, yet it faces growing exposure to criminal activity. This raises critical questions about whether current security measures are sufficient. Issues such as fragmented responsibility, lack of integration between physical and digital security, and a reactive—rather than predictive—approach to risk management continue to undermine efforts to combat cargo crime.
Ultimately, the challenge facing the logistics industry is not just about responding to crime, but anticipating and preventing it. As Duri suggests, meaningful progress will require stronger collaboration across stakeholders, smarter use of technology, and a shift toward proactive, integrated security strategies.
