Car Jamming Incidents Surge Across South Africa

Vehicle security data reveals a sharp rise in electronic theft attempts during the festive shopping season.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Property Crime

Car Jamming Incidents Surge Across South Africa

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Do you manually verify your car is locked after using your remote key?

Vehicle security provider Netstar has reported a 66.6% increase in car jamming incidents across South Africa since mid-November 2026. This surge corresponds with the busy build-up to Black Friday and the festive shopping period.

Why it matters

The rise in these incidents poses a significant security challenge for shoppers who rely on remote locking mechanisms. Criminals exploit these devices to gain unauthorized access to vehicles by disrupting the locking signal.

Netstar confirmed a 66.6% increase in jamming incidents since the middle of November, detected via vehicle alerts. Jamming devices typically utilise a customized 400 MHz frequency to disrupt remote locking signals.

The players

Netstar

Netstar is a South African vehicle tracking and telematics company that monitors vehicle security through its proprietary JammingResist technology.

The details

Remote jamming works by creating electronic noise, preventing a vehicle from receiving the signal sent from a remote locking device. Criminals often deploy customized 400 MHz gate or garage remote controls to facilitate these thefts.

Car jamming incidents began to surge in mid-November 2026.

Legal Context

This spike in electronic theft reflects the growing sophistication of criminals leveraging remote-jamming technology to bypass vehicle security. It follows an established trend of increased opportunistic property crimes during major retail events like Black Friday.

Residents are advised to double-check their vehicle doors manually to ensure they are locked before walking away in shopping areas. This simple step prevents criminals from using jamming devices to gain entry to parked cars.

The takeaway

Drivers should cultivate the habit of physically pulling on the door handle to confirm the vehicle is secure after locking it with a remote. Remaining vigilant in public car parks is essential while jamming incidents are on the rise during the festive season.