Focus: South Africa has the sixth highest rate of kidnapping for ransoms in the world, according to insurer OELA. In the last quarter of SAPS crime statistics (2023/24), 3494 cases of kidnapping were reported to police. 135 cases involved the demand of ransom for the abducted. Since January 2024, R390 million has been demanded for ransom purposes.

While this may only represent 5% of kidnapping statistics, there has been a rise in express kidnappings where criminals have ditched long spells of captivity and shifted to 24 hours. The epicenter of these kidnappings have occurred in Gauteng. Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal are also being identified as a hotspot. To tell us more about these crimes and what implications the rise of this crime has on families as well as communities, we are joined by…

Guest: Dr. Chris de Kock - Crime Expert 
Guest: Willem Els - Senior Training Coordinator (ENACT Programme) at the Institute for Security Studies