Page 6 - FWG Issue 3 April 2024

Security

Photo by Sander Sammy

ransom. After several arrests, the SAPS noted that these syndicates
were targeting businesspeople by luring them in with fake tender
proposals. The SAPS further pointed out that the suspects, who were
dressed in police uniforms, were found holding the victim’s hostage
and demanding an amount of R300,000.

Ordinary people are also targets. A prevalent trend is ‘express
kidnappings’, where motorists are hijacked and driven in their own
vehicle (or another vehicle) to an ATM and forced to withdraw cash.
Victims are also robbed of valuables such as laptops and cell phones.

PERSONAL SAFETY:

KIDNAPPING AND

HIJACKING

24/7 Security Services has noted the increase in
media coverage relating to kidnappings and missing
persons. Statistics show this type of crime is
increasing – and everyone is at risk!

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) has warned South Africans that
cases of kidnappings have skyrocketed by 260% in the country over
the last decade – including those for ransom. Gauteng is a hotspot
province. While kidnapping for ransom makes up only 5% of the cases,
it still equates to around two people being kidnapped for ransom per
day.

The South African Police Service’s (SAPS) latest crime statistics for
the third quarter of 2023 (October to December 2023) 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 Kidnapping/hijacking
kidnappings are ransom, human trafficking, and extortion.
and Banking App crimes
Photo by Nathan Dumlao
Who are the targets? A worrying crime trend involves victims who are being
Looking at the types of people that are most vulnerable to kidnappings kidnapped and coerced, often under the threat of violence, into
in South Africa, Police Minister Bheki Cele warned at the end of last year making transfers from their banking apps, frequently stripping
that criminal syndicates are heavily targeting wealthy businesspeople them of all their savings or completely looting their other
– as well as university students.
accounts. Some victims are forced to make payments into bank
accounts outside of the country, which makes tracing the funds
In a public briefing note published in 2023, Cele noted the increase nearly impossible for law enforcement. In other cases, victims’
in cases, highlighting that these crimes are being committed by accounts are used to make online purchases both locally and
kidnapping syndicates targeting selected individuals for means of
across South Africa’s borders.

Fourways Gardens • 4 • April 2024