2025 Kidnapping As Economic Crime of Choice As Economy Slows (South Africa) 

South Africa has made headlines recently following the kidnapping of a U.S. pastor outside of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-pastor-josh-sullivan-abducted-at-gunpoint-in-south-africa-rescued-in-shootout-authorities-say/. While he was successfully rescued by South African police five days later, this incident exemplifies kidnapping as a prevalent issue in many parts of the country. 

Reduce your profile and the risk of kidnapping – regardless of your perception of “vulnerability.” Remain vigilant of any suspicious people or movements around you. If you get the sense of something being amiss, get to a place of safety or leave the area as fast as possible. Always use a “safe word” and a “panic word” to allow you to express to whomever you select as your lifeline your personal safety status. Avoid distractions such as cellphones or music that may hinder your awareness. It is good practice to keep car doors locked at all times. Caution should also be exercised at intersections. Criminals may use the stopped flow of traffic to their advantage, using it to limit your chance of escape. A driver safety program specifically offering training for hijacking avoidance can help drivers identify and avoid potential hijackings. Routes taken often, such as routes to work or school, should be varied. This makes it harder for criminals to predict your movements. Notify someone of your journey by indicating you leave 2025 Kidnapping As Economic Crime of Choice As Economy Slows (South Africa) 

South Africa has made headlines recently following the kidnapping of a U.S. pastor outside of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-pastor-josh-sullivan-abducted-at-gunpoint-in-south-africa-rescued-in-shootout-authorities-say/. While he was successfully rescued by South African police five days later, this incident exemplifies kidnapping as a prevalent issue in many parts of the country. 

Reduce your profile and the risk of kidnapping – regardless of your perception of “vulnerability.” Remain vigilant of any suspicious people or movements around you. If you get the sense of something being amiss, get to a place of safety or leave the area as fast as possible. Always use a “safe word” and a “panic word” to allow you to express to whomever you select as your lifeline your personal safety status. Avoid distractions such as cellphones or music that may hinder your awareness. It is good practice to keep car doors locked at all times. Caution should also be exercised at intersections. Criminals may use the stopped flow of traffic to their advantage, using it to limit your chance of escape. A driver safety program specifically offering training for hijacking avoidance can help drivers identify and avoid potential hijackings. Routes taken often, such as routes to work or school, should be varied. This makes it harder for criminals to predict your movements. Notify someone of your journey by indicating you leave and that you arrived safely at your destination. Sending a live location notification to someone will 

also allow them to see your location in real-time. Any items that may show wealth, even just a cellphone, should be hidden from view so as not to entice criminals. When entering or leaving your property be vigilant of suspicious people or vehicles in your street. Criminals may block your vehicle at the gate or in an approach way. Being jumped while in the car is a common method of taking a victim. Being kidnapped is not a trivial experience. 

Kidnapping poses significant security risks to business leaders and “C Suite” members. Any kidnapping will have profound psychological and financial impacts on victims and their families according to the American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/topics/trauma/hostage-kidnap# . The painful and disruptive effects of the taking is life changing. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61335529 

Most high profile kidnapping (is human trafficking of children and executives held for ransom) receive the most media attention and are sensational. However, these kidnappings account for less than 5% of all reported kidnappings in the country. The remaining 95% are “ATM grabs” and domestic relations custodial disputes which effect ordinary people regardless of race or socio-economic status. 

South Africa in the two most common forms of kidnapping (aside from domestic relations custodial actions) and these are ones for which the private sector should remain vigilant and obtain insurance where practicable. First, kidnap-for-ransom (“KFR “) and second, Express Kidnapping (“ATM grabs”). Human trafficking is the most sensational and fear inducing. https://ssclegacy.com/2024/10/11/kidnappings-south-africa-2024-crisis/ 

This type of kidnapping is employed by criminal or extremist groups seeking financial gain rather than ideologically motivated. KFR targets are not always high-profile individuals; they can also include expatriates, diaspora returnees, and tourists with perceived wealth. Missionaries and NGO workers are common targets. Targets are typically scoped out and a plan to capture and hold is made in advance. These are seldom “random” events and usually have the benefit of insider information. The criminal typically demands large sums of money from the victim’s family, employer, or government, leveraging the threat of harm to ensure compliance. 

The other form of kidnapping is Express Kidnapping (“ATM grabs”), which involves holding victims for a few hours or days to facilitate the theft of their funds, usually held by banks. The victim is forced into withdrawing money from ATMs or transferring their funds into accounts controlled by the criminals through mobile banking applications. 

Note – One form of “extortion” that is growing is the “romance scams” routine in which a lover” is threatened as a lure to cause money to be paid. The payment usually results in the criminals, including the lover, in disappearing. This form of scam (fake kidnapping) has increased in frequency over the past several years in multiple countries including South Africa. However, these scams do not usually involve physically coercing the victim rather the victim is fooled (so these crimes are typically under-reported). 

South Africa has seen a significant increase in kidnapping cases of both local nationals and foreigners with 17,000 cases reported in just one year, marking a 260% increase over the last year. This figure includes various forms of kidnapping, such as kidnap-for-ransom and express kidnappings. https://www.fanews.co.za/article/short-term-insurance/15/general/1217/explosive-growth-in-kidnap-for-ransom-in-south-africa/39516 

According to the latest crime statistics for April to June, released by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on 30 August, as many as 3,494 kidnappings occurred during this short period. And, since 2023, says Statista, South verge has the highest kidnapping rate in Africa, with 9.57 kidnappings per 100,000 inhabitants. Globally, the country is ranked sixth for kidnapping for ransom. 

According to the Global Initiative Against Transnational Crime (GI-TOC), the increase in kidnapping cases is largely driven by a rise in extortion. GI-TOC experts warn that extortion is rapidly increasing across the country, adversely affecting every sector of the economy. This widespread criminal activity is not only undermining economic stability but also fostering an environment of fear and insecurity. Since 2004 the increase in kidnap-for-ransom cases involving local nationals and foreigners in South Africa has been progressively on the rise. https://journals.assaf.org.za/index.php/sacq/article/view/1007/770 

The risk of kidnapping varies significantly across South Africa, with certain provinces experiencing higher rates of incidents. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-09-07-africas-abduction-capital-harrowing-tales-of-kidnapping-syndicates-holding-sa-to-ransom/ The most affected province is Gauteng, which accounts for more than half (51%) of all reported kidnappings. This high concentration is likely due to Gauteng’s status as the economic hub of South Africa, with its major cities, Johannesburg and Pretoria, attracting both local and international business activities. The dense population and wealth disparity in the region also contribute to the higher incidence of kidnappings. 

KwaZulu-Natal follows with 20% of reported kidnapping cases. This province, which includes the port city of Durban, also faces significant socio-economic challenges, which may contribute to the prevalence of such crimes. https://www.enca.com/videos/kidnapped-south-africa-part-1-8-march-2025 

The Western Cape and Mpumalanga each account for 6% of reported kidnappings. The Western Cape, which includes Cape Town, is a major tourist destination, which can make it a target for criminals seeking to exploit perceived affluent visitors. Mpumalanga, with its rich natural resources and proximity to national parks, also sees a notable number of incidents. The Eastern Cape records 5% of reported kidnappings. This province, while less economically developed than Gauteng or the Western Cape, still faces significant crime challenges. Insurance coverage should be a priority for the “C Suite” leadership of any organization committed to doing business in South Africa. 

Kidnap and ransom cover 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. 

The escalation of this type of crime has prompted insurers to develop specific products to mitigate the risks and costs associated with such incidents. However, while most people are now aware that kidnapping and ransom insurance is available from specialist insurers, not everyone knows what this type of coverage actually entails. https://iol.co.za/personal-finance/financial-planning/2024-10-17-understanding-kidnap-and-ransom-insurance-amid-rising-abductions-in-south-africa/#google_vignette . Kidnap and ransom coverage does not solely focus on the ransom but is in reality an entire process where business and family members lead the negotiations with the kidnappers, supported by insurance “consultants.”