Kidnapping remains a significant security concern in South Africa, affecting businesses, executives, employees, families and ordinary members of the public.

The Threat Is Evolving

While ransom‑driven kidnappings receive significant attention, kidnapping can also occur in connection with hijacking, robbery, extortion and human trafficking. Increasingly, criminals may target individuals because of their perceived access to money, business assets or information.

The numbers tell the story.

📊 Quick Stats - Kidnapping In South Africa

• 17,061 cases in 2023/24 (⬆️11.2% year‑on‑year)

• 263.6% increase over the past decade (2014/15–2023/24)

• Gauteng: 50.9% of cases (8,683 incidents)

• Gauteng + KZN: Over 70% of the national total

• Jan-Mar 2025 ransom kidnappings: 214 cases (vs113 in 2024, ⬆️90%)

• Gauteng share of ransom cases: 144 incidents

For businesses, the message is clear: kidnapping should be treated as a foreseeable security risk, not simply an extreme or isolated event.

Three Top Tips To Reduce Your Risk

🚗Control Your Routines

Predictability creates opportunity.

• Avoid following the same route and schedule every day.

• Vary departure times where practical.

• Stay alert when approaching home and work.

• Avoid unnecessary stops in isolated areas.

• Be cautious at predictable locations.

• Report suspicious vehicles or repeated surveillance.

A security-conscious journey starts before the vehicle moves.

🔒 Protect Your Information

Kidnapping risks are not limited to physical security. Criminals can use publicly available information to identify potential targets and understand their routines.

Review what employees and executives disclose online, including:

• Travel plans and locations.

• Home addresses and family details.

• Vehicle information.

• Company roles and responsibilities.

• Photographs showing residences, offices or security arrangements.

SAPS has also highlighted that perpetrators may force kidnapping victims to use mobile banking or transfer funds electronically. (South African Police Service)

👉 For this reason, cyber awareness, personal security and physical security should be treated as interconnected risks.

📝 Have A Plan Before An Incident Occurs

The worst time to decide what to do during a kidnapping is after it has happened.

Businesses should have a clear incident response procedure covering:

• Who is notified first?

• Who takes control of the incident?

• How the victim’s family is supported?

• How are law enforcement and specialists engaged?

• Who manages communications and media enquiries?

• How is information protected?

• How are employees and witnesses supported afterwards?

⚠️ Employees should understand their role is not to confront or investigate suspected kidnappers themselves. Personal safety and controlled reporting remain the priority.

📺 Key Insights From The Institute For Security Studies

• The kidnapping surge is driven largely by hijackings and robberies, rather than ransom demands alone.

• Ransom and extortion-related cases account for a relatively small proportion of reported kidnappings.

• Criminals are increasingly exploiting mobile banking and electronic transfers during kidnapping incidents.

• Gauteng accounts for the largest share of reported kidnapping cases, followed by KwaZulu-Natal.

▶ Watch the ISS video - Lifting the Lid on South Africa’s Kidnapping Surge

A Final Word

Kidnapping prevention is about reducing opportunity, recognising warning signs and having a prepared response.

For organisations with executives, high-value employees, mobile workforces or personnel operating in higher-risk environments, a targeted security assessment can identify vulnerabilities before criminals do.

Security is most effective when it is proactive, not reactive.

Data source: South African Police Service crime statistics. Figures represent reported incidents and should be read within the limitations of recorded‑crime data.