Kidnapping cases skyrocket with 139%

SA – A stark reality... 16 people are being kidnapped or abducted in South Africa daily.

This represents an alarming increase in abduction crimes when compared to figures recorded by the police during previous years. 

Although the kidnappings have been more concentrated in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, there is a significant increase nationally from 2009 to 2019. 

This points to a bleak statistic which has been described as ‘out of control’ by some of the county’s top investigators.

According to the statistics, a total of 2,492 kidnapping cases were reported in South Africa between 2009 and 2010. The statistics reveal an increase with 5,693 cases being reported between 2018 and 2019. 

In Limpopo, 243 kidnappings were reported for 2018/2019, presenting a decrease from 300 recorded in 2017/2018. 
In Rustenburg, 29 kidnappings were reported between 2018 and 2019, representing an increase of 20.8%. 

Overall, the statistics show that kidnapping skyrocketed in South Africa by 139% in the last decade.  

The police and organisations such as Pink Ladies had to double their efforts in an attempt to curb this crime wave. 

While in the past criminals used to target wealthy individuals, they have broadened their scope of victims and now prey on lower-income families as well as teenagers and children. There also appears to be a well-defined pattern of opportunistic abductions in which the criminals demand quick ransom payments, usually through e-wallets. 

Mike Bolhuis, a renowned private investigator, told news channel ENCA that in an effort to evade being detected, located and arrested, abductors have lately been demanding small amounts of money to ensure faster transactions.  

To report a kidnapping or abduction, contact the police on 014 777 3500 (Thabazimbi SAPS), 014 576 9100 (Rustenburg SAPS) or  086 001 011. You can also visit Pink Ladies on their website www.pinkladies.org.za or email admin@pinkladies.org.za, operationspinkladies@gmail.com or missing@pinkladies.org.za. You can also contact them via WhatsApp on 072-214 7439 or SMS on 072-214 7439.