Warning issued as new criminal syndicate targets shoppers in SA
Ruan Vermaak, communication manager at CrisisOnCall, has said that kidnappings in South Africa are a deeply concerning threat.
The South African Police Service released the latest crime statistics from the third quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year (October 2025 to December 2025) on 20 February 2026.
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According to these stats, there had been close to 4,800 cases of kidnapping reported across the country in this period.
This means there are an estimated 53 kidnappings a day, with more than half of these crimes occurring in Gauteng.
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The statistics emphasise what is being shared by experts and officials, which is that criminal syndicates are increasingly targeting South Africans, with kidnappings happening during everyday activities such as picking up kids from schools, commuting, or going to shopping malls.
Ruan Vermaak spoke to Moneyweb Radio about the growing number of this specific crime.
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Vermaak warns that no single group of people is being targeted, but those who may appear to have high-paying jobs or follow predictable daily routines are common targets.
This includes:
- business owners
- young professionals
- parents
- students
- individuals travelling alone
- women travelling home from shopping malls
- people picking up kids at school
- higher up people with influence
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High-profile kidnappings make headlines more often, Vermaak says that some cases are meticulously planned for financial gain, while others occur opportunistically during another crime.
High ransom kidnappings are still a factor. There are still people being watched for financial gain. But there are also children who are being kidnapped, and especially women are a big target in South Africa.
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He further explains that criminals tend to strike everyday environments, kidnapping victims who are stopped at a boom gate, shopping mall parking, or a security complex.
Victims might be released in some cases, as the criminals may simply want the vehicle; other victims are held in order to demand money from families.
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He explained that Gauteng accounts for a large share of these cases because of its economic importance, as it is a hub for both privately and state-owned businesses.
Gauteng has a much greater financial interest, which is why many more people are targeted there.
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How are criminals finding targets?
These criminals are more sophisticated and calculated than you might expect.
They spend time researching potential victims, monitoring routines and gathering information before they strike.
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They'll even use social media to collect information or make unsolicited phone calls.
Accepting requests from random social media users or unknown people can put you at risk.
Then there are unknown phone numbers that phone you and start asking questions, and some people tend to give them this information.
According to Vermaak, ransom demands are rising because criminals become more organised and deliberate in selecting their targets.
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When it comes to paying ransom demands, it's best to follow the advice of officials and those who handle these cases, but Vermaak advises caution and against paying immediately.
This could lead to victims experiencing greater harm and underscores the importance of specialised negotiators who often assist families in these situations.
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Vermaak urges South Africans to be vigilant and also report any suspicious behaviour.
Be on the lookout for anyone asking strange, probing questions about your finances or private life, or someone hanging around your residential area day in and day out.
If you see something suspicious, report it and make sure you drive near security cameras. Don’t just stop next to the road.
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