Kidnapping is becoming an increasingly alarming threat in South Africa, with criminals targeting victims during ordinary daily activities such as shopping, commuting, or collecting children from school.
New crime figures from the South African Police Service show that nearly 4,800 kidnapping cases were recorded nationwide between October and December last year.
The numbers translate to roughly 53 kidnappings every day, highlighting the scale of the problem across the country, as reported by Business Tech.
More than half of those incidents occurred in Gauteng, which remains the epicentre of the crime.
Speaking on Moneyweb Radio, Ruan Vermaak from the emergency response organisation CrisisOnCall said the statistics point to a worrying rise in kidnappings involving a wide range of victims.
He explained that criminals are not only targeting wealthy individuals but also people who follow predictable daily routines or appear financially stable.
Business owners, professionals, students and parents are all being identified as potential targets.
Vermaak said women travelling alone and parents collecting children from school are particularly vulnerable in some situations, while individuals believed to have high levels of influence or financial means are also at risk.
Although high-profile kidnappings for large ransom payments often dominate headlines, he noted that the crime can take many different forms.
Some kidnappings are carefully planned for financial gain after criminals monitor their victims for extended periods.
Others occur opportunistically during robberies or vehicle thefts.
Vermaak warned that many attacks take place in everyday locations that people consider relatively safe.
Residential complexes, gated communities and shopping mall parking areas have all been identified as common settings where criminals strike.
He said incidents have occurred when victims stop at security boom gates or while loading groceries into their vehicles at shopping centres.
In certain cases, victims are briefly abducted while criminals steal their vehicles, while in other situations families are contacted and asked to pay money in exchange for the victim’s release.
Gauteng’s role as South Africa’s economic centre partly explains why the province records such a high share of kidnapping cases.
The province hosts a large number of businesses and economic activities, making it an attractive target for criminals seeking financial gain.
Vermaak said kidnappers often spend time gathering information about their victims before launching an attack.
Social media platforms have become one of the tools used to collect personal information.
People who accept unknown friend requests or share details about their routines online may unknowingly expose themselves to criminals who monitor their movements and habits.
Fraudulent phone calls are another method used to gather information.
According to Vermaak, some criminals phone potential victims pretending to ask harmless questions but are actually attempting to collect personal or financial details.
He urged South Africans to remain vigilant and report suspicious behaviour to authorities.
Individuals who notice unfamiliar people repeatedly watching their homes or asking unusual questions should take it seriously.
Vermaak also advised motorists to remain cautious when stopping their vehicles and to move toward areas with visible security cameras if they feel threatened.
Another concern is the increasing size of ransom demands as kidnapping syndicates become more organised.
Families faced with ransom demands are urged not to rush into payment decisions.
Vermaak said specialised negotiators are often involved in such cases and can help guide families through the process while prioritising the safety of the victim.
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