According to the latest crime statistics released by the Western Cape Government, the majority of kidnappings across the province during the first half of this year occurred in Cape Town.
Also read: 11 suspects arrested for kidnapping Kuils River businessman
During a briefing, the South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that many kidnapping cases had been linked to domestic violence. ‘We want to see more arrests. We want to get to the masterminds behind it,’ says provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, adding that the public should report extortion and kidnapping tip-offs to the Provincial Extortion Hotline on 080 0631 4444. ‘When people have used this number in the past, it has assisted us with kidnappings. We are the only province to have success with kidnappings for ransoms.’
According to the report, kidnappings across the province increased 7% year-on-year between April and June. Between April and June, 244 people were kidnapped, of which 187 were recorded in Cape Town.
During the same time period, the number of kidnappings linked to ransom also increased compared to the previous three months. A total of 13 kidnappings were recorded between April and June, compared to only three between January and March. Four cases linked to extortion were recorded across the six months.
Some of the top precincts for kidnapping (recorded between January and June) include:
- Mfuleni (25)
- Khayelitsha (23)
- Milnerton (22)
- Delft (21)
- Gugulethu (20)
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News24 reports that a 31-year-old woman was kidnapped in Parow Industria and later rescued and reunited with her family. She was taken when she left a family business, where she works, and her vehicle was discovered abandoned at NY 99 in Gugulethu. Eight men were arrested and faced charges of kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, extortion and theft.
During the same month, a businessman was kidnapped during a robbery from the superette in Kuils River. The perpetrators stole cash, cigarettes, cellphones and Oka pipes, and customers were locked in a walk-in freezer. After the man was rescued, 11 people were arrested. They now face charges of business robbery and kidnapping for ransom.
‘It is affecting us because many projects to uplift our communities are being affected. As a result, we see stoppage or delay in the execution of these projects. We need development, we need progress,’ says provincial community policing forum chairperson Fransina Lukas, noting that extortion is an ongoing struggle for communities.
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Also read:
Routine safety check halts Cape Town kidnapping dead in its tracks
Picture: Martin Tanyaradzwa Mafunga / Pexels