Gauteng's kidnapping rate 'shockingly high'

JOHANNESBURG - The chair of the Gauteng legislature's Portfolio Committee on Community Safety, Bandile Masuku described the kidnapping rate in province as shockingly high.

Kidnappings are spiking in Gauteng, with the latest crime statistics showing that the province recorded a staggering 2,367 cases between October and December last year.

This marks an almost 20% increase from the same period in 2022, during which 1,974 cases were recorded.

Masuku had this to say about the recent kidnapping stats.

"It is shockingly high but what we have realised that with issues related to crime or different types of crime categories, is that they get to a point where they become like they are fashionable and seasonal and increase depending on the time."

He says the evidence suggests that key to addressing crime is a collaborative approach.

"So maybe the involvement of stakeholders like banks, community policing forums and also ourselves as the general public to make sure we are fully aware of the situation where we find ourselves and we don't put ourselves at risk."