Security experts warn that criminal syndicates are increasingly targeting unsuspecting shoppers in mall parking areas and residential complexes across South Africa. Picture Credit: AdobeStock
By Aisha Zardad
South Africa – Kidnapping syndicates are increasingly targeting South Africans during everyday activities, with incidents occurring while people visit shopping malls, travel to work, or collect their children from school.
Recent data from the South African Police Service shows that nearly 4,800 kidnapping cases were recorded across the country between October and December last year. The figures translate to roughly 53 kidnappings every day, with Gauteng accounting for more than half of the reported cases.
Speaking in an interview on Moneyweb Radio, CrisisOnCall communication manager Ruan Vermaak said the statistics highlight a worrying trend that continues to affect a broad range of people.
According to Vermaak, criminals are not limiting their targets to a specific group. Instead, individuals who appear financially stable or follow predictable routines are often singled out.
“This includes business owners, young professionals, parents, students, individuals travelling alone, ladies travelling from shopping malls to home, picking up their kids at school,” he said.
“This is especially true for people who have high influence in South Africa—they are all massive victims when it comes to kidnappings as well.”
While high-profile abductions linked to large ransom demands often attract public attention, Vermaak explained that kidnappings occur for different reasons. Some are carefully planned with financial gain in mind, while others take place opportunistically during other crimes.
“High ransom kidnappings are still a factor. There are still people being watched for financial gain,” he said.
“But there are also children who are being kidnapped, and especially women are a big target in South Africa.”
Vermaak said criminals frequently strike in locations where victims feel relatively secure, including residential estates and shopping centre parking areas.
“They will kidnap them while they are actually stopped at the boom gate or at the security complex or even in the shopping mall parking area,” Vermaak said.
“This happens especially while they are packing the vehicle with groceries in the back. There were a few cases like this reported at various shopping centres across Gauteng.”
In certain cases, victims are released after the criminals steal their vehicles. In other situations, abducted individuals are held while perpetrators demand money from family members.
Criminals are doing their research: Vermaak noted that Gauteng records a significant portion of the country’s kidnapping incidents, partly because the province is home to a large concentration of businesses and economic activity.
“Gauteng is basically the hub of a lot of privately-owned businesses as well as state-owned businesses,” Vermaak said.
“There is a much bigger financial interest in Gauteng, and that is why a lot of people are targeted.”
He warned that kidnappers often gather information about potential victims before carrying out an attack, observing routines and collecting personal details.
Social media platforms and unsolicited phone calls are among the methods criminals use to obtain information.
“A lot of people just accept people on social media platforms. They don’t know these persons, and then they start to gather information,” he said.
“Then there are unknown phone numbers that phone you and start asking questions, and some people tend to give them this information.”
Vermaak urged the public to remain alert and to report any suspicious behaviour in their communities.
“If you see someone outside your residential area day in and day out, or someone asking weird questions like private or financial questions, it’s very important to be on the lookout,” Vermaak said.
“If you see something suspicious, report it and make sure you drive near security cameras. Don’t just stop next to the road.”
He also warned that ransom demands are becoming more common as criminal groups grow more organised.
When faced with such demands, Vermaak advised families not to rush into making payments.
“I won’t always say just pay the ransom money because it can lead to extra harm,” he said, noting that specialised negotiators often assist families in these situations.
