Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
21 March 2024 | 15:20 CAT

‘Traumatic’ trend: Ransom kidnappings thrive in South Africa as crime soars. Image/ Al Jazeera

The escalating number of kidnappings in South Africa has reached unprecedented levels, with recent incidents shedding light on the dire reality faced by citizens.

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) noted cases of kidnappings reported to the police in South Africa have almost quadrupled (260%) over the last decade.

According to Statistics SA (StatsSA), more than 16,000 kidnappings are recorded annually in South Africa. Shockingly, 85% of these victims are women and children.

Additionally, while kidnapping for ransom makes up only 5% of the cases, it still works out to around two people being kidnapped for ransom per day in the country.

These numbers are unsurprising considering the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) latest crime statistics for the third quarter of 2023 (October to December 2023).

The report showed that kidnappings have increased by 11% year-on-year to 4,577 cases over the period – working out to roughly 51 kidnappings a day in South Africa.

The report also noted that the main reasons for these kidnappings are ransom, human tracking, and extortion.

Ransom-demanded kidnappings increased by 7.8% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2023.

Mike Bolhuis, Specialist Investigator into Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes, highlights the alarming trend: “Against a backdrop of economic hardship and political turmoil, holding people for ransom has become increasingly lucrative.”

The reluctance of victims, particularly parents, to seek police assistance due to fears for their children’s safety complicates efforts to combat this crime.

Shockingly, Bolhuis also revealed: “In the past 10 years, kidnappings sky-rocketed by 183% from 3,832 in 2012/13 to 10,826 in 2021/22.”

Meanwhile, there is also a shift by crime syndicates from solely targeting affluent individuals to now targeting victims from informal settlements and townships, with some being held for ransoms as low as R500.

The emergence of what are called express kidnappings, where abducted victims are forced to withdraw money from bank accounts before being set free.

Listen to the full interview on Radio Islam International with Muallimah Annisa Essack.