'Kidnapping has become a lucrative business in organised crime,' says Cele
According to the third quarter crime statistics, a total of 3,975 people were kidnapped between 1 October and 31 December 2023.
South African Police Service (SAPS) officers in formation. Picture: X/SAPoliceService
JOHANNESBURG - Police Minister Bheki Cele on Friday revealed that kidnapping for ransom had become a lucrative business in organised crime.
According to the third quarter crime statistics, a total of 3,975 people were kidnapped between 1 October and 31 December 2023.
From the recorded figure, a ransom was demanded for 138 kidnappings, 23 people were trafficked while 18 were held for extortion.
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Cele had this to say about the scourge of kidnapping: "Kidnappings for ransom has become a lucrative commodity for organised crime in South Africa. The SAPS [South African Police Service] continues in its efforts to identify and arrest groupings linked to kidnappings, especially where ransom demands are being made. More than 300 suspects linked to these kidnappings have been arrested in the last two years."