Gauteng has recorded a significant spike in kidnapping cases, with 2,341 incidents reported between January and March this year—a 15.8% increase compared to the same period last year.
This was revealed by Gauteng provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni during a crime statistics briefing at the Gauteng Legislature on Thursday.
According to Mthombeni, 88 suspects have been arrested in connection with 62 kidnapping cases, and 77 victims have been successfully rescued.
He highlighted that the nature of kidnappings remains varied:
- 1,338 cases involved hijackings or attempted hijackings,
- 356 were robbery-related, and
- 144 involved ransom demands.
“We are working closely with our law enforcement partners and stakeholders to dismantle the kidnapping syndicates operating across the province,” Mthombeni assured Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs).
Police have vowed to intensify efforts to curb the growing trend, which remains a major concern for public safety in the province.