SOUTH Africa faces an alarming surge in kidnappings, with 47 cases reported daily.
Muslim businessmen and their families are increasingly targeted, while experts reveal that Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal have become kidnapping hotspots.
Learn about the different types of kidnappings, from express abductions to long-term ransom cases, and what measures can be taken to stay safe.
Five months after being kidnapped, businessman Zakariyya Desai, 47, was released on February 9. He was taken from outside a mosque in KwaDukuza, on September 9, last year. Even though his kidnappers demanded a ransom, his family did not pay it.
In another incident on February 12, 9-year-old Emaan Fatima Ghumman, of East London, was kidnapped while walking home from school. She was released on February 12 after her family paid the ransom.
On February 11, 74-year-old Uitenhage businessman, Ebrahim Moosa, was kidnapped outside his workplace but was rescued less than 24 hours later by police.
Yusuf Abramjee, anti-crime activist said Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal also were the kidnapping hotspots.
“The facts speak for themselves. Currently, these three provinces are the hotspots. There have been so many kidnappings, but in many cases, the victims have been released. But there are still a number of active kidnapping cases in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng,” said Abramjee.
He said there was no specific time of the year where kidnappings were carried out and there was no way of knowing how long victims could be held for.
“These are random attacks that take place at any time and anywhere. There is also no particular pattern. Kidnappers are going after anyone these days.
“In express kidnappings, the kidnappers could keep a victim from three hours to five hours, or from 24 hours to one week. Some gangs have no rush. They can keep you for up to three, four or five months, like we have seen in the ransom kidnappings. Those are the bigger, more experienced syndicates that keep you for the longer,” said Abramjee.
Lizette Lancaster, manager of the crime and justice information hub at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), said a total of 17 061 kidnappings had been recorded by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the annual crime statistics for the period April 2023 to March 2024.
This represents an average of 47 kidnappings per day on average.
“Half of the kidnappings are recorded in Gauteng and 20% in KwaZulu-Natal. The Western Cape and Mpumalanga each recorded 6% of the country’s kidnappings. The Eastern Cape recorded 5% of the total kidnappings. However, it is important to note that not all kidnappings are recorded to the SAPS,” said Lancaster.
She said most kidnappings were linked to carjackings or armed robberies where the victims are taken for a couple of hours or a day, mainly to force them to withdraw funds from their bank accounts.
“This is called express kidnappings. Kidnapping for ransom makes up only about 3% of recorded kidnappings. Kidnapping for human trafficking is less than 1% of cases.
“Transnational organised crime syndicates do perpetrate kidnappings linked to international human trafficking scams or linked to other illicit dealings but most kidnappings are by local groups involved in armed robbery or extortion,” added Lancaster.
“There is no set victim list. Many of the victims become a target because of inside information about the availability of cash funds or information about a large business deal or inheritance. Most persons are at risk of kidnapping during a robbery and carjackings, especially in Gauteng.
“High-wealth persons must be careful who they trust with information about their financial status. Kidnappings often occur during routine activities just outside places of business, residence or education, so everybody must be aware of their surroundings, especially when travelling to and from their place of residence or business. This is often where we are most vulnerable.
“At this stage, those travelling to South Africa are relatively safe, although there are transnational human trafficking schemes that are planned from countries of origin. However, the country’s reputation as a kidnapping hotspot is likely to negatively affect business confidence,” said Lancaster.
The ISS has seen several successes of the SAPS kidnapping task teams.
“However, many kidnappings are going undetected, leaving kidnappings to still be regarded as a lucrative and low-risk criminal opportunity. The likelihood of being caught is more likely to be a deterrent to kidnappers than the current laws and penalties.
“While kidnappings for ransom are being prioritised, express kidnappings perpetrated during carjackings or other armed robberies and during extortion activities should also be prioritised. These crimes are perpetrated by relatively few armed groups. Arrests and convictions of these groups will have a significant positive impact on not just kidnapping but also armed robbery statistics,” she said.
Nirmala Gopal, professor of criminology and forensic science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said the SAPS annual crime statistics indicated a significant escalation in kidnapping incidents over the past decade, reflecting a staggering 264% increase - from 4 692 reported cases in the 2014/15 fiscal year to 17 061 cases in 2023/24.
Gopal said the motive for kidnapping was different depending on the kidnappers.
She said while kidnappings could occur in many settings, they frequently took place along routes that the victim regularly traversed, enabling kidnappers to plan their actions effectively.
“The motivations for kidnappings are diverse, extending beyond financial gain. These incidents can also stem from retaliatory actions aimed at instilling fear, sexual violence, child abduction, political motives, or gang-related revenge.
“Perpetrators of kidnapping can vary from small local gangs to international syndicates. The victim's profile often depends on the motive, which may include individuals such as children of affluent businesspeople or relatives of politically prominent figures,” said Gopal.
She said the responsibility of reducing kidnappings couldn’t rest solely on the shoulders of the government and required a concerted effort from multiple stakeholders, including community organizations, law enforcement, and individuals themselves.
“One significant factor to consider in this multifaceted approach is the amount of personal information that people choose to share on social media platforms. This seemingly harmless practice can have serious consequences, as such details, ranging from daily routines to location tags, can be exploited by malicious actors.
“Therefore, it is crucial for individuals to be mindful of their online presence and the potential risks associated with oversharing. Heightened awareness and proactive measures from everyone involved can greatly enhance our collective safety and help combat the rising trend of kidnappings,” said Gopal.
Junaid Iqbal, general secretary of the Pakistan South Africa Association (PSAA), Durban, said the kidnappings of Muslim businessmen in the recent months was upsetting and always tried to help the victims' families.
"This recent spate of kidnappings is deeply disturbing and unacceptable. These heinous acts of violence and intimidation have caused immense fear, anxiety, and trauma for the victims, their loved ones, and the broader community.
"The PSAA is also concerned by the recent kidnappings of Pakistani businessmen and their families in South Africa. We strongly condemn these heinous acts and stand in solidarity with the affected families.
"The PSAA will work closely with the Pakistani Embassy, local authorities, and community organizations to ensure a coordinated and effective response to this crisis. We urge all members of the Pakistani community in South Africa to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities,” said Iqbal.
The Hawks (the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation) did not comment at the time of publication.