Guest Article: Cargo Heists Increase – Rhenus Logistics raises awareness at Carte Blanche

The number of reported truck hijackings in South Africa has escalated over the past year by an alarming 32 percent. According to Statista Research Department, 1,202 truck hijackings occurred between April 2019 and March 2020, often ending with violent attacks on drivers. With the sharp increase in online shopping as a result of COVID-19, courier vehicles are now increasingly being targeted too. Heightened activity by organised syndicates, as well as opportunistic incidents, are a reality.

“Criminals have become much more brazen in their approach. The industry is now experiencing far more orchestrated heists, with groups of up to 25 robbers going after one delivery vehicle,” says Martin Taylor, Risk Manager at Rhenus Logistics South Africa, in a recent interview with television programme Carte Blanche. “It has become a strategy of ‘shoot first, steal later’, which means that cargo drivers are now more at risk than ever. Although high-value goods are most sought-after, all cargo is at risk, which means that all deliveries are vulnerable.”

State-of-the-art security protocols

Rhenus Logistics South Africa follows state-of-the-art security protocols, including ongoing anti-hijacking training for drivers, as well as vehicle tracking and on-board video surveillance that is monitored 24/7 by highly trained control room personnel.

“Cargo crime is not only going to continue, but will increase,” emphasises Taylor. “Law enforcement bodies, including the crime intelligence unit of the South African Police Service, have expanded their operations and are doing what they can, but they don’t have the capacity to fight crime by themselves. It needs to be a collective effort involving all stakeholders, including the public. The logistics and security industries are collaborating and sharing information and resources in efforts to combat ongoing crime.”

Security awareness and agile, proactive risk management are essential. Importers needing to have their goods transported should partner with companies that have highly-developed security protocols and systems in place, such as 24/7 camera surveillance, Taylor explains. This will minimise risk and help them build more secure and resilient supply chains.

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This article was brought to you by Rhenus Logistics. A member of the Austrian Business Chamber.

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