Politicians, church leaders, taxi bosses and high-flying multinational business executives are forking out millions to take cover behind Kevlar glass and armoured-steel protection for their luxury vehicles.
The demand for armoured vehicles in South Africa has surged dramatically — with one dealership recording sales of more than 100 units in 2023 — in response to escalating hits, armed hijackings and other forms of violence.
According to the latest quarterly crime statistics, hijackings increased by 6.5% between October and December in 2023, with 5,973 cases reported. More than 7,700 people were murdered in the same period.
This has led cash-flush South Africans to seek extra measures to protect themselves, particularly where they are most vulnerable — on the road.
Yusuf Moolla, marketing manager of national dealership Armoured Mobility, said private individuals, businesses and government entities were among their clients, who have ordered more than 100 bulletproof vehicles in 2023 in response to the surge in organised crime and kidnappings.
Moolla said there are various levels of protection available, including B4 and B6 armouring.
He said B4 protection is provided by Kevlar-reinforced ballistic glass that will protect occupants from handgun, rock throwing and smash-and-grab threats.
B6 protection armour is provided by reinforced ballistic steel and ballistic glass, which can withstand high-powered fire, including that from AK47, R1 and sniper rifles.
“Our luxury B4 armouring pricing starts at R479,900 in our bakkie range and goes up to R849,900 for an SUV. For our B6 luxury range, pricing starts at R499,900 in the bakkie range and goes up to R1.55m for a multipurpose vehicle such as a Mercedes V-Class. In our B6 discreet range, pricing is between R529,900 and R859,900.
“We have observed diverse clientele seeking armoured vehicles, including individuals, businesses and government entities. More individuals are looking at purchasing B4 armour for themselves and their families to travel in safety, while businesses, government [entities] and security services are fortifying their fleets with B6 armouring solutions to give them the best advantage against criminality,” said Moolla.
He said that, as crime became more violent, the level of protection needed by clients increased.
“Clients want to protect themselves and their families when they are most vulnerable on the roads. They don’t want to advertise [that] they have protection, so their vehicles are delivered to their homes with discretion,” he said.
The police response to this aspect of the crime problem has been completely inadequate, so it’s unsurprising that those who can afford it resort to armoured cars
— David Bruce, Institute for Security Studies
MMI Armoured Cars, another armoured vehicle dealer, said it is aware of more than 40 instances where its clients have been attacked, but no-one has been injured or killed.
The dealership’s James Carmichael said a leading driver of the increase in demand for armoured vehicles is the spate of kidnappings of high-profile business people, who are willing to pay between R580,000 and R2m for enhanced protection.
Carmichael said violent crime is a serious and persistent problem in South Africa, so it makes sense for people to protect themselves on the roads, where they are often the most vulnerable to attack.
“If we had to put our clients in a broad basket, they would be private entrepreneurs and business owners. We have noticed that more multinational corporations are insisting on their principals being protected by an armoured vehicle, particularly ex-pats here on a limited-term contract. As long as crime continues unabated, as it has [done], the demand will naturally increase. The prevalence of armoured cars has increased substantially in the last six years,” said Carmichael.
Grant Anderson, MD of Armormax, said, “Armoured vehicles are a tool to improve one’s security dramatically against the nightmare of crime in the country.”
“We had a client come in yesterday (Monday, April 8) after he was attacked while driving, and he was bringing in his vehicle for repair. We see a far higher incidence of assailants pulling the trigger when they commit crimes. We have a far higher incidence of our vehicles being attacked,” said Anderson.
Armormax said an armoured B4 Range Rover Sport vehicle cost R908,000, while the B6 Range Rover Autobiography will set an owner back R1.9m.
Having been in the business for more than 18 years, Anderson said there is growing demand for B6 vehicles, as people are increasingly concerned about being attacked with riffles.
He said taxi bosses are among their clients.
Shaheen Suleiman, manager of Magma Investigations and Security in KwaZulu-Natal, told the Sunday Times that, while the company has about six armoured vehicles at present, it is looking to add more in the future, owing to demand.
“With the number of hits happening in the province, people — especially business people — are terrified and moving towards armoured vehicles. The couple of armoured vehicles that we have are being rented out to the big businesspeople. We know that [KZN] is considered to have a huge number of hitmen, which means there is a market for [armoured vehicles] as well. That is terrifying if you are in business,” said Suleiman.
Institute for Security Studies crime expert David Bruce said the surge in demand for armoured vehicles is a response to an explosion in violent organised crime reflected in various forms of violence, including assassinations, vehicle hijackings and kidnappings.
“The police response to this aspect of the crime problem has been completely inadequate, so it’s unsurprising that those who can afford it resort to armoured cars. Of course, it would be better if the government could respond more effectively to firearm violence,” he said.
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