Gauteng earns grim title as SA’s kidnapping capital

Province remains the epicentre for kidnappings with 52.8% nationally

- MASABATA MKWANANZI

GAUTENG province has earned the disturbing title of the “Kidnapping Capital of SA”. Recent statistics indicate that almost 53% of all kidnapping cases in the country are reported within this province.

Security experts warn that urgent action is needed, with the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) calling for the revival of the 2009, 2011 Gauteng Aggravated Robbery Strategy to curb this escalating crisis.

This comes after the rescue of a Chinese woman who had been missing since June. She was found in Lenasia last week, where police uncovered Johannesburg Metro Police uniforms and badges at the scene.

Reports indicate that kidnappers are disguising themselves as police officers, complete with uniforms, badges, and even vehicles fitted with blue lights, using the authority of the badge to stop, deceive, and abduct their victims.

According to the South African Police Crime Statistics, kidnapping cases have increased by 15.8% in Gauteng from 2085 in the fourth quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year to 2414 in the same quarter for the 2024/2025 financial year. Gauteng remains the epicentre for kidnappings with 52.8% nationally.

Speaking to The Star, Lizette Lancaster, Head of the Justice and Violence Prevention Programme at the Institute for Security Studies, unpacked the deep-rooted challenges within law enforcement.