South Africa has jumped to the sixth position globally in terms of kidnappings, with 15,000 incid3nts reported to the police in the 2022/23 period.
The country is now considered a hotspot for k!dnap-for-ransom crimes, with high net-worth individuals and their families being targeted.
The rise in kidnapp!ngs in South Africa is attributed to a combination of factors, including economic instability, gang activity, and the availability of firearms.
The criminals often demand huge ransom amounts for the release of their v!ctims, and frequently net millions.
The data from the police highlights the severity of the problem, with over 15,000 kidnapp!ngs reported to the police in 2022-2023 alone and an average of 41 kidnapp!ngs reported per day.
The targets of these kidnapp!ngs are often high-net-worth individuals and their families, including business executives, celebrities, and politicians.
Law enforcement agencies are struggling to keep up with the surge in kidnapp!ngs, with many cases going unsolved.
In addition to the human toll, the economic impact of kidnapp!ngs is also significant. The ransom demands are often extremely high, and many v!ctims are forced to pay large sums to secure their release.
Experts warn that the k!dnap-for-ransom industry is becoming increasingly sophisticated, with criminals using advanced technology and social media platforms to plan and execute their att@cks.
SOURCE : NEWSREPORTZIM.COM
