Kidnapping for ransom

Issue 6 2023 News & Events, Security Services & Risk Management

Kidnapping for ransom threat in SA is no longer just a worry for the rich and powerful. Ordinary South Africans are increasingly becoming vulnerable to kidnapping, with the latest police crime statistics revealing an 8,6% increase in reported kidnapping cases compared to last year, with 3 854 cases reported between April and June this year.

An emerging trend is for criminal syndicates to target not only wealthy business people and their families, but also university students, who often make easy targets and are increasingly being snatched and held for ransom.

This is according to Justin Naylor, MD at iTOO Special Risks, who explains that university students – especially those who come from rural areas – are particularly vulnerable as they often attend university in places that are unfamiliar to them and far from anyone they know.

“University students by nature have lifestyles that are balanced between academia and exploring their new surroundings and meeting new people. Not having a support structure close by makes them easy targets for criminal syndicates, who then either demand a ransom from the student themselves or from their families back home,” says Naylor.

He notes that another disturbing trend that is on the rise is that of so-called ‘express kidnapping’, which refers to snatching a person and demanding that they withdraw money from an ATM or obtain a quick ransom from another source in exchange for their release.

Express kidnapping means the actual or attempted abduction and holding of a person against their will, where personal belongings and/or readily available assets of the captive person are surrendered in exchange for his or her release.

“Express kidnapping is all about making a quick buck. The syndicate does not want to incur the expense or risk of holding a kidnapped person overnight or any longer than they actually have to. Instead, they want to secure a ransom as quickly as possible before moving on to their next target,” says Naylor.

Express kidnapping, coupled with the fact that wealthy individuals themselves are no longer the sole targets of organised kidnapping syndicates and that the threat now increasingly extends to their family members, friends and associates, should be of great concern to ordinary South Africans.

“As we are seeing lately, kidnapping for ransom and extortion is becoming a very well-organised and very prevalent crime in this country. It is a lucrative enterprise that is driven largely by the tough economic conditions that are putting a financial strain on many people. In many cases, it is simply seen as an easy way to make money,” says Naylor.

“Unfortunately, the tough times also mean that kidnapping for ransom is no longer just a reality faced by the rich and the famous. These days, syndicates are known to snatch anyone with the means or the support network to raise a ransom amount – even if it is relatively small.”

Considering these trends, Naylor says that it is becoming increasingly important for people to consider insuring themselves against being abducted and that wealthy individuals should be aware that the threat extends not only to them, but also to their family members.

“Kidnap and ransom coverage can provide people who feel they and their families are at risk of becoming targets with the peace of mind of knowing that, in the event of a kidnapping, their insurance policy will enable the involvement of reputable specialist consultants who are qualified to deal with such situations,” he says.

In the case of iTOO, Naylor points out that the specialist risk insurer provides a kidnap and ransom policy that ensures coverage for the fees and expenses of response consultants, regardless of the duration of the crisis, the hostage negotiation fees, lost wages and – in some cases – the ransom amount.

iTOO’s specialist team operates in 80 countries, including South Africa, and has 13 full-time consultants, including a responder, based in Gauteng. As a form of extended assistance to victims, 10% of the policy premium is allocated to pre- and post-incident training/advice offered by the consultants.




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

From prevention to protection
Securex South Africa News & Events Fire & Safety
The Western Cape’s varied landscapes and rapid urban development present a range of fire safety challenges, from densely populated city centres to remote industrial sites, and from heritage buildings to new high-rise developments.

Read more...
Workflow and asset management solutions
Asset Management News & Events
Zamatrack’s innovative workflow and asset management solutions feature the Worxit platform. This all-in-one solution allows businesses to streamline operations with real-time tracking, GPS data, and custom reports.

Read more...
SAQCC Gas awareness
Associations News & Events
SAQCC Gas will raise awareness within the gas industry by emphasising the importance of using registered gas practitioners and getting a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for all your gas systems.

Read more...
Why Securex matters more than ever
Securex South Africa News & Events Fire & Safety Facilities & Building Management
Visitors will observe the application of integrated security solutions, including AI-enhanced surveillance, cloud-based access control, cybersecurity tools, and perimeter protection within residential, commercial, logistics, and industrial environments

Read more...
Fire Ops SA Partners with Matrix
News & Events Fire & Safety Residential Estate (Industry)
Fire Ops SA, a South African private fire and rescue service, has announced its partnership with Matrix Vehicle Tracking to launch FireStop, providing Matrix and Beame clients with direct access to a dedicated professional private fire service.

Read more...
SABRIC Annual Crime Statistics 2024
News & Events Security Services & Risk Management Residential Estate (Industry)
SABRIC has released its Annual Crime Statistics for 2024, reflecting a significant decline in financial crime losses, but also warning of the growing threat posed by artificial intelligence (AI) in fraud schemes.

Read more...
Adding AI analytics to security monitoring
SEON South Africa News & Events Perimeter Security, Alarms & Intruder Detection Residential Estate (Industry) AI & Data Analytics
SEON has announced its latest integration with Refraime, an AI-powered video analytics platform designed to elevate CCTV surveillance through real-time object detection and intelligent alerting.

Read more...
Advances in electric fence management
Nemtek Electric Fencing Products News & Events Perimeter Security, Alarms & Intruder Detection
Nemtek will demonstrate its newly enhanced FG7C+ Fence Controller, now featuring an advanced software upgrade that connects all Nemtek devices, aggregating data to a single point for efficient electric fence alarm monitoring and control.

Read more...
Fire safety in focus
Securex South Africa Fire & Safety News & Events
Firexpo Cape Town visitors will not only compare technologies side-by-side, but also connect with suppliers and experts who understand both the region’s regulatory framework and its unique environmental risks.

Read more...
Health, safety, and environmental eLearning
Training & Education Security Services & Risk Management
SHEilds is a global leader in health, safety, and environmental eLearning, delivering internationally recognised qualifications such as NEBOSH, IOSH, IEMA, and ProQual NVQs.

Read more...










While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd. | All Rights Reserved.