Fear over violent crime in Gauteng is intensifying after new crime statistics revealed the province is recording an average of 27 kidnappings a day.
The figures, covering January to March in the 2025/2026 financial year, show Gauteng accounts for more than half of all kidnapping cases nationally.
The latest quarterly crime statistics have already sparked concern among political parties and police officials, with Gauteng continuing to record the highest number of kidnappings in the country.
Criminologist Professor Jacob Mofokeng said kidnapping syndicates in Gauteng had evolved into highly organised criminal enterprises focused on extracting money from victims as quickly as possible.
Syndicates targeting victims’ banking apps
Mofokeng said many kidnappings now involve victims being forced to empty their bank accounts while held captive.
He said criminals often hijack people, take them to remote locations and force them to transfer money or take out loans through banking apps.
“Kidnapping in Gauteng has become a highly sophisticated, volume-driven commercial enterprise,” he said.
Mofokeng said syndicates viewed people as “liquid assets” because they could access cash quickly through digital banking platforms.
He warned that victims were often moved between locations to avoid detection while transactions were carried out.
The criminologist said criminals were likely profiling potential victims and targeting people believed to have access to money or credit.
First 24 hours critical
Mofokeng said recovery chances were highest within the first 24 hours after a kidnapping.
According to specialised anti-kidnapping data cited by the criminologist, around 82% of victims are safely recovered during that period.
He said many cases involved short-term kidnappings aimed at immediate financial gain.
“Once the victim’s banking apps are emptied and transaction limits are maximised, the syndicate’s rational business model dictates releasing the victim unharmed,” he said.
However, he warned that recovery rates dropped sharply after 72 hours.
Mofokeng said victims held longer faced increased risks of prolonged captivity, transnational trafficking or death.
‘Dark figure’ of unreported kidnappings
The criminologist warned that official kidnapping statistics likely represented only a fraction of the real problem.
He said many cases were either reported late or never reported to the police.
Recent Gauteng crime statistics have also shown increases in commercial crimes and kidnapping-related cases, raising concerns about the growing sophistication of organised criminal syndicates operating in the province.
“There is a massive silent tier of abductions that are either delayed or completely hidden from law enforcement,” Mofokeng said.
He said some wealthy families preferred private negotiators because they feared corruption within law enforcement structures.
Others were allegedly too traumatised or intimidated by threats from kidnappers to report incidents.
Mofokeng said South Africa needed a secure, integrated reporting system linking banks, private security companies and specialised police units to improve responses to kidnappings.
Dating apps increasingly linked to kidnappings
Mofokeng also warned about the growing use of dating apps and social media platforms by criminal syndicates.
He said organised groups were posing as potential romantic partners online before luring victims into kidnappings.
“The real terrifying trend we are seeing in Gauteng is dating app luring,” he said.
Mofokeng said these crimes relied on technological manipulation and targeted vulnerable people through social media and online platforms.
He urged South Africans to be more cautious about sharing personal information online or meeting strangers.
Families urged to contact police
Mofokeng warned families against negotiating directly with kidnappers.
He said trained law enforcement negotiators were better equipped to handle hostage situations and avoid compromising investigations.
“Families should not navigate this crisis alone,” he said.
The criminologist acknowledged public distrust in police but said kidnapping cases should still be reported immediately.
He added that South Africans should treat organised crime as a sophisticated business operation rather than random acts of violence.
Mofokeng urged people to reduce their digital exposure by limiting social media activity, avoiding predictable routines and separating high-value banking apps from everyday mobile phones.
Kabous Le Roux
www.ewn.co.za
