Gauteng Q2 crime stats: Kidnapping for ransom a headache for police

JOHANNESBURG - Kidnapping for ransom remains a serious issue for Gauteng police, with 113 cases reported between July and September 2024. 

Gauteng police said the main targets were businessmen from foreign countries, namely China, Portugal and India. 

On Friday, the Gauteng South African Police Service (SAPS) presented its second-quarter crime statistics in Boksburg.

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To deal with the growing issue of kidnapping for ransom, Gauteng SAPS has established a task team within its organised crime investigation division. 

During the second quarter, the task team dealt with six kidnapping cases where a combined R75 million in ransom was demanded. 

Provincial head of SAPS strategic management David Bender said the victims were rescued in all six cases, and four people were arrested. 

“The occurrence of kidnapping for business people who are often viewed as easy targets to extort money from families is still prevalent. Our team of organised crime (investigators) continue to engage the relevant banks and SABRIC (South African Bank Risk Information Centre) as well to trace withdrawals in instances where a victims banking app has been used by the suspects to withdraw money.”