What does it tell us about crime in Gauteng when one precinct records 76 kidnapping cases in a single quarter? And perhaps more importantly, what sits behind that number? The latest SAPS
statistics show that Kempton Park recorded 76 kidnappings between April and June 2026, compared with 48 in the same period last year. At provincial level, Gauteng recorded 2,367 cases — the highest provincial total in the country for that quarter. The Gauteng Legislature's Portfolio Committee on Community Safety says kidnapping cannot be viewed in isolation. Its
stakeholder engagement heard about cases involving hijacking-related kidnappings and ransom demands, including a reported R5-million demand in Bekkersdal and R3-million demand in
Roodepoort. That points to a broader criminal ecosystem involving organised crime and the exploitation of victims for financial gain. But for residents, statistics ultimately translate into a much more basic question: how safe are we, and what is being done differently now that these hotspots have been identified? The committee is calling for stronger intelligence gathering, better
coordination between law-enforcement agencies, targeted operations and greater engagement with communities. So, what does an effective response actually look like — and why has kidnapping become such a significant challenge in Gauteng? We're joined by Dr Bandile Masuku, Chairperson of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature's Portfolio Committee on Community Safety.