15% increase in kidnappings in Gauteng reflects disturbing trend across SA - crime analyst

702's John Perlman is joined by crime analyst Chris de Kock.

The number of kidnappings in Gauteng increased by more than 15% between January and March this year.

2,341 cases were recorded in the province during this period.

This was among the fourth quarter quarter crime statistics for the 2024/25 financial year released by Gauteng provincial police commissioner Tommy Mthombeni on Thursday.

RELATED: Murder & sexual offences down, kidnappings increase, Gauteng's Q4 crimes stats show

A majority of kidnapping cases are linked to hijacking, robbery, extortion and human trafficking.

Mthombeni said they are working closely together with stakeholders to combat the kidnapping syndicate operating within the province.

Ransom demands accounted for 144 of the over 2,000 cases.

While the public often associate kidnapping with ransom, these cases are actually in the minority, affirms crime analyst Chris de Kock.

While kidnapping has become a disturbing trend across South Africa, the figure for Gauteng is the highest among the provinces.

"National figures have increased over the last five years. Kidnappings started off just above 4,000 and then started to really escalate in 2019/2020. This actually doubled every year and today we stand at over 18,000 with the majority in Gauteng."

Chris de Kock, Crime Analyst

"When it was still at 4,000 it was as a result mainly of cases registered in connection with carjacking and house robbery - if they keep you in your house for even two minutes at gunpoint or knifepoint during a robbery an alternative charge of kidnapping will be registered."

Chris de Kock, Crime Analyst

One of the growing trends today is kidnapping someone to access the money in their bank accounts or even to access a loan as opposed to going for ransom, de Kock says.

"They'll say 'this guy drives a nice car' or know where he's working and that he's got some money in the bank. You then kidnap him, take him somewhere and , over a day or two start to force him to withdraw all his money and transfer it into their account.  They'll even get the victim to open bank loans to then transfer that money as well."

Chris de Kock, Crime Analyst

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