Gauteng has become the epicentre of kidnappings in South Africa, with Johannesburg recording alarming spikes in cases. According to the latest crime statistics covering the period from 1 January to 31 March 2025, more than half of the country’s reported kidnappings occurred in the province. In several police precincts, especially within Johannesburg, incidents have more than tripled.

Among the 30 police stations with the highest number of kidnapping reports nationally, 26 are based in Gauteng. Johannesburg Central, Moroka, Roodepoort, Jabulani, and Midrand stand out, ranking among the top eight.

Most police stations in the city have recorded increases, with only Germiston, Kempton Park, Randburg, and Evaton noting slight declines.

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) reports a 264% increase in kidnappings over the past decade. Analysts attribute around 80% of these incidents to “express kidnappings” – cases where victims are abducted during other crimes such as carjackings, truck hijackings, and business or residential robberies.

These crimes often involve temporary captivity while funds are withdrawn via bank cards or mobile apps, or ransoms are demanded from family members. Some cases are also linked to attempts to extort money from business owners.

The trend appears to be gaining traction among criminals due to its perceived low risk and high reward. In particular, stations like Jabulani and Johannesburg Central recorded sharp spikes, with 32 and 24 more cases respectively compared to the same period last year.

Dobsonville also saw a notable increase with 20 additional incidents. In some precincts, the number of cases has more than doubled – and in Jabulani, it has more than tripled.

Despite a decline in some robbery categories, the concurrent rise in kidnappings suggests a shift in criminal behaviour. Analysts argue that these crimes are often perpetrated by a relatively small number of offenders and can be effectively addressed through intelligence-led policing and dedicated investigative units. However, the growing appeal of kidnappings reflects gaps in current law enforcement efforts.

Experts have also raised concerns about the deteriorating capacity of state intelligence and policing structures. Kidnappings have surged from eight reported cases per day in 2009/10 to 50 per day in 2024/25.

Over the past two decades, government structures have shown increasing inability to prevent, investigate, and prosecute such incidents.

While kidnappings rise, the broader crime picture in Gauteng shows a more nuanced reality. Murder cases dropped by 10.8% compared to the previous year, with 1,439 cases recorded in the fourth quarter of 2024/25 – down from 1,614.

Nonetheless, the province still accounted for a quarter of all murders nationwide. The majority of killings took place in public areas and involved firearms. Gauteng also recorded the second-highest number of rape cases, contributing 19.1% to the national tally.

In response to the crime wave, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has championed technology-driven interventions, installing surveillance cameras in several townships across Johannesburg South. He has also deployed crime prevention wardens, though public sentiment on their effectiveness remains mixed.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, speaking during the release of the crime statistics on 23 May, highlighted the role of organised crime in the rising number of kidnappings. He noted that these operations are rarely the work of lone actors, and often overlap with extortion syndicates.

Security experts have called for the reintroduction of the Gauteng aggravated robbery strategy, which between 2009 and 2011 led to a significant drop in hijackings, home invasions, and business robberies. Reviving such targeted strategies, they argue, could help curb not just robberies, but also related crimes like kidnapping and extortion.

Ultimately, many believe the fight against kidnapping requires a broader, more coordinated approach. Current legislation and police capabilities fall short in the face of sophisticated syndicates and evolving criminal methods. There is growing consensus that new laws specifically addressing the complexities of kidnapping – from root causes to prosecution – are urgently needed.