Criminal syndicates are increasingly targeting South Africans for kidnapping during everyday activities such as visiting shopping malls, commuting, or collecting children from school.
According to the latest figures from the South African Police Service, nearly 4,800 kidnapping cases were reported nationally between October and December last year.
This works out to 53 kidnappings a day in South Africa, with more than half occurring in Gauteng.
Speaking in an interview on Moneyweb Radio, Ruan Vermaak, communication manager at CrisisOnCall, said the numbers highlight a growing and deeply concerning threat.
Vermaak warned that many different groups of people are being targeted, particularly those who may appear to have high-paying jobs or who follow predictable daily routines.
“This includes business owners, young professionals, parents, students, individuals travelling alone, ladies travelling from shopping malls to home, picking up their kids at school,” he said.
“This is especially true for people who have high influence in South Africa—they are all massive victims when it comes to kidnappings as well.”
While high-profile ransom kidnappings often make headlines, Vermaak said some cases are carefully planned for financial gain, while others occur opportunistically during other crimes.
“High ransom kidnappings are still a factor. There are still people being watched for financial gain,” he said.
“But there are also children who are being kidnapped, and especially women are a big target in South Africa.”
He explained that criminals often strike in everyday environments, including residential complexes and shopping malls.
“They will kidnap them while they are actually stopped at the boom gate or at the security complex or even in the shopping mall parking area,” Vermaak said.
“This happens especially while they are packing the vehicle with groceries in the back. There were a few cases like this reported at various shopping centres across Gauteng.”
In some cases, victims are released, and the criminals simply take the vehicle. In others, the victim is held while criminals demand money from their family.
Criminals are doing their research
He noted that Gauteng accounts for a large share of cases partly because of its economic importance.
“Gauteng is basically the hub of a lot of privately-owned businesses as well as state-owned businesses,” Vermaak said.
“There is a much bigger financial interest in Gauteng, and that is why a lot of people are targeted.”
Criminals often spend time researching potential victims before striking, monitoring routines and gathering information.
Vermaak warned that criminals also collect information through social media and unsolicited phone calls.
“A lot of people just accept people on social media platforms. They don’t know these persons, and then they start to gather information,” he said.
“Then there are unknown phone numbers that phone you and start asking questions, and some people tend to give them this information.”
He urged South Africans to remain vigilant and report suspicious behaviour.
“If you see someone outside your residential area day in and day out, or someone asking weird questions like private or financial questions, it’s very important to be on the lookout,” Vermaak said.
“If you see something suspicious, report it and make sure you drive near security cameras. Don’t just stop next to the road.”
Ransom demands are also rising, according to Vermaak, as criminals become more organised and deliberate in selecting their targets.
When it comes to ransom demands, Vermaak cautioned families against paying immediately.
“I won’t always say just pay the ransom money because it can lead to extra harm,” he said, noting that specialised negotiators often assist families in these situations.
