When Every Delivery Is a Risk, Can South Africa’s Logistics Industry Fight Back? With VisitMe, Yes.
- helena688
- Jul 21
- 4 min read
South Africa’s logistics and supply chain industries are under siege. From hijackings on national highways to insider sabotage in warehouses, businesses face relentless pressure from multiple sources, with few viable solutions currently keeping up with the pace of criminal activity.
Whether it’s transportation, cash-in-transit, collections, last-mile delivery, or warehousing, the risks are real and growing. Every gap in control, every undocumented access, and every unverified vehicle can become an entry point for theft, violence, or major compliance failures. The country’s most essential industries are fighting a silent war, and in many cases, they are losing.
A Snapshot of the Crisis
In 2023, South Africa recorded more than 40,000 supply chain-related crimes, ranging from truck hijackings and cargo theft to break-ins at warehouse facilities (Freight News). The country now holds the highest rate of truck hijackings in the EMEA region, with over 67% of these incidents involving violence (IUMI).
As South Africa’s e-commerce market surged by 29% last year (totaling R71 billion), last-mile delivery fleets expanded rapidly, increasing their exposure to crime. It is estimated that 20 to 25 delivery vehicles are hijacked every day (Reuters).
Even more concerning, 11% of local businesses reported malicious activity by internal staff in 2023 (Outline Africa). With organised crime often working in collaboration with insiders, physical barriers and standard procedures are no longer enough.
Why Most Systems Fail
Many companies still rely on outdated systems, including paper logs, verbal authorisations, and disconnected technologies that cannot keep up with the layered threats at play. These systems lack integration, adaptability, and worst of all, they leave managers blind to what is really happening on-site.
In an industry where “what you don’t know” can cost millions, a lack of visibility is a risk no business can afford.
VisitMe: Designed for the Realities of South African Industry
At VisitMe, we help companies regain control. Our platform is built specifically for high-pressure environments offering layered, digital solutions that secure people, vehicles, assets, and procedures across the supply chain.
Think of it as moving from a paper diary to a live security dashboard, one that tracks every vehicle, visitor, and delivery with precision.
· Secure, Custom Access Control
Whether it’s a warehouse gate, delivery yard, or high-value collection point, VisitMe replaces vulnerable manual sign-ins with real-time identity and vehicle validation. Drivers, contractors, and visitors are vetted, verified, and tracked with no shortcuts and no surprises.
· Driver and Vehicle Monitoring
Our scanners instantly check driver’s licences, vehicle discs, and work permits. If documents are expired or if visitors are unrecognised, the system flags them immediately, preventing unverified individuals from entering.
· Photo Evidence and Condition Logs
Every entry and exit is documented with photographic evidence and custom checklists. This creates a full digital trail of who entered, what they brought, and the condition of goods or vehicles. It is ideal for insurance claims, audits, or internal investigations.
· Real-Time Intelligence and Integration
VisitMe integrates directly with NAVIC (National Vehicle Intelligence Cloud), allowing you to cross-reference vehicles of interest in real time. This collaboration empowers your site to spot suspicious activity early, with alerts verified through official channels.
· Centralised Data for Pattern Detection
Our online portal provides live oversight of multiple locations. With full access to logs, timestamps, inspections, and access events, you can detect risks before they escalate, support investigations, and make informed operational decisions based on accurate data.
Built Around Your Operation, Not Ours
Every facility is different, and so are the threats it faces. That’s why VisitMe doesn’t rely on pre-set templates. We custom-build every solution based on your operational flow, compliance requirements, and access points.
We turn red zones (high-risk, uncontrolled areas) into blue zones (safe, monitored, and documented).
Whether you're managing a secure depot, a transport fleet, or multiple distribution hubs, we help you:
Ensure only authorised individuals gain access
Protect high-value goods and assets from theft or loss
Prevent unauthorised or non-compliant drivers and vehicles from operating
Validate inductions, medicals, and certifications
Track and document collections and offloading procedures
Maintain POPIA compliance with full data protection
More Than a Product, a Partnership
We understand that in your industry, time is money and downtime can be disastrous. That’s why we offer:
On-site training for all staff
A backup scanner in case of device failure
A locked APN to prevent misuse of devices
Seven-day-a-week support
Ongoing feature development to keep pace with evolving threats
Our clients don’t just get a solution. They get a partner that evolves with them.
Criminals are evolving. They are smarter, more organised, and more daring than ever before. If the tools we use don’t evolve with them, we fall behind.
VisitMe is helping South African industries stay ahead with proactive, tech-driven security that protects people, goods, and operations at every stage of the supply chain.
Because when pressure is high and solutions are few, what you need is clarity, visibility, and control — all in one place.
