Kidnap crisis as top CEOs nailed

For high-net-worth individuals, personal security is not a luxury but a matter of survival

- WENDY JASSON DA COSTA

SOUTH Africa's captains of industry are under siege. Experts say an increasing number of CEOs and high-net-worth individuals are being kidnapped by sophisticated criminal enterprises who see them as lucrative targets.

Initially, those in the construction industry were regarded as high-risk, then the banking sector was added, and now general businesses are affected as well, especially where tenders are involved.

Security specialists told the Independent on Saturday that personal protection is no longer a luxury, but a matter of survival. The figures are chilling: 4 800 kidnappings were recorded in just three months this year, more than double the 1 900 cases recorded over the same period five years ago.

Chris Thornhill, CEO of security group Phangela Group, says the reality is even worse. "There's definitely numerous unreported cases, especially when it involves foreign nationals, business associates, and others who just don't trust the judicial system."

He says they've received an increasing number of requests for private protection as executives take steps to mitigate the possibility of being attacked. "Executive threats are no longer opportunistic but coordinated. We're seeing organised crime syndicates targeting business owners, directors, and high-net-worth individuals with increasing sophistication, including impersonating police, using fake uniforms, and forcing mobile banking transfers under duress."

Thornhill says the security requests mainly come from executives and their international counterparts who are frequent travellers around the country. Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape are kidnapping hot spots. In the Eastern Cape, some kidnappers have links to people in the car rental industry, he adds.