Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
10 July 2024 | 15:19 CAT

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Kidnappings are again on the rise in South Africa. This week, two motorists who were kidnapped while driving on Putfontein Road in Crystal Park in Benoni were rescued within a day by a brave police team led by the special task force. Their swift action led to the rescue, with one kidnapper being shot dead in a shootout between police and the suspects.

Over the past weeks, there have been numerous cases of business people, mostly Portuguese business people, who were kidnapped. However, the police have made significant progress, made several arrests and rescued those kidnapped. Police say that in six months, 54 kidnappers operating in Gauteng, North West, Mpumalanga and Free State were arrested, with more than 200 kidnappers having been arrested in the past two years.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Jenni Irish-Qhobosheane, Senior Expert at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime, pointed out his analysis of the current status of kidnappings.

He says, “we have seen over the last couple of years quite an increase in kidnappings occuring in the country. There are different networks that are operating some of which are more sophisticated than others who are more copy catted which is becoming a major problem.”

According to police, in the past two years, more than 200 alleged kidnappers have been arrested.

Qhobosheane explains that the police have done significant work around some of the kidnappings amidst the many challenges in terms of dealing with the issue.

Qhobosheane emphasized, “Many cases don’t get reported, family members resort to just paying the ransom and hope that the problem will go away. However, reporting of incidents and getting the police involved is crucial. The two different types of networks which are difficult to break can be targeted if we all play our part.”

Since the start of the year, more than R390 million has been demanded in a string of ransoms in almost 80 SAPS Anti-Kidnapping Unit investigations.

Listen to the full interview on Sabahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat here.