File image
A MURDER in Cape Town this weekend is believed to have been linked to an attempted kidnapping, a crime happening with such increasing frequency in South Africa that it has been dubbed a “national sport”.
Durban private investigator Brad Nathanson puts this down to the state of the country.
“Not so long ago kidnapping was unheard of in South Africa,” he said.
He warned that “as more and more of these kidnappers get paid and get away with this crime, the more people will be kidnapped” in what he called a new “national sport”.
For the first quarter, the 30 most affected police stations showed one station in Mpumalanga, seven in KZN, and 22 in Gauteng. The Gauteng region alone recorded an increase from 189 kidnapping cases reported between January and March of 2021, up to 723 cases for the same period of 2022, said City of Cape Town mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith.
“The evidence is clear South Africa has a crisis on its hands.”
People who may feel vulnerable, such as affluent business people, are advised by the security sector to minimise their exposure on social media and hire “top notch” security.
Brokers are offering insurance against it, but the industry has been tight-lipped about this product because of its sensitivity. Whether it’s wise or not to take it out is a subject of debate.
Anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee also noted that the number of kidnappings had increased in recent months.
“Insurance cover can be helpful but it must be done confidentially. Those who are vulnerable need to consider it,” said Abramjee.
Private Investigator Mike Bolhuis said taking out policies to cover kidnapping for ransom had its good and bad sides.
“I believe in insurance, so I would say ‘yes’,” said Bolhuis.
“We as specialist investigators would say it is a good thing if you are in the slightest way concerned that because of your worth you are a target for criminals.
“But in the same breath, I would also say that the insurance companies should have very strong documented contracts, which only after a thorough and in-depth investigation of such a kidnapping, and if it is factually correct, that the insurance companies do a payout.
“There needs to be forensic polygraphs and a thorough and in-depth investigation as well as risk analysis before the insurance company pays out on these policies that cover kidnappings.
“You cannot just take a (police case) CAS number and expect to be paid out, like in other insurance situations. This is something that needs to be investigated thoroughly to prevent corruption seeping through,” he said.
Bolhiuis added that it was also possible that those considering taking out policies to cover kidnapping for ransom could become bigger targets for criminals.
“The kidnappers know that there is insurance so they will know for a fact that they will get paid so there is a target on your back,” he warned.
“We need to be very careful; criminals of today are knowledgeable and will know if you are insured,” he said.
Institute for Security Studies criminologist Lizette Lancaster said she was unsure whether it would be a good or bad idea for South Africans to take out policies to cover kidnapping for ransom.
“I have no evidence to suggest whether it is a good idea or not,” said Lancaster.
“The quarterly statistics have shown a substantial increase in kidnapping cases over the past year, however,” she said.
Another Durban private investigator, Rick Crouch, said most of the kidnapping he had dealt with involved people taken while driving.
“They are forced off the road and taken; the second most popular modus operandi is at schools,” he said.
Crouch recommended that a high-profile business person ought to hire “a top notch close protection team” to protect them and their loved ones at all times when away from the home.
The team should have experience in counter-surveillance, advanced driving tactics and tactical firearms use, he said.
“Be aware of your surroundings at all times and vary your routine and routes to and from school, work etc,” he said.
National Police spokesperson Colonel Althenda Mathe advised people not to expose themselves unnecessarily on social media platforms because syndicates monitored them to prey on their victims.
He added: “We do not encourage families directly communicating with captors as this may put the lives of the victims at risk.”