Kidnap crisis affects SA's CEOs

SOUTH Africa’s captains of industry are under siege.  Experts say an increasing number of CEOs and high-net-worth individuals are being kidnapped by sophisticated criminal enterprises who see them as lucrative targets.

Initially, those in the construction industry were regarded as high risk, then the banking sector was added, and now general businesses are affected as well, especially where tenders are involved. 

Security specialists told the Independent on Saturday that personal protection is no longer a luxury, but a matter of survival. The figures are chilling: 4 800 kidnappings were recorded in just three months this year, more than double the 1 900 cases recorded over the same period five years ago.

Chris Thornhill, CEO of the Phangela Group, says the reality is even worse. “There's definitely numerous unreported cases, especially when it involves foreign nationals, business associates, and others who just don't trust the judicial system to assist them.”

He says they've received an increasing number of requests for private protection as C-suite executives take steps to mitigate the possibility of being attacked. “Executive threats are no longer opportunistic but co-ordinated. We’re seeing organised crime syndicates targeting business owners, directors, and high-net-worth individuals with increasing sophistication including impersonating police, using fake uniforms, and forcing mobile banking transfers under duress.”

Thornhill says the security requests mainly come from executives and their international counterparts who are frequent travelers around the country. Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape are kidnapping hotspots. In the Eastern Cape, some kidnappers have links to people in the car rental industry, he adds.

However, in the past 12 months, things have shifted. “It was mostly your international traveling associates for multinational companies, where South Africa is deemed as a very dangerous country just from the outset. So I think it was a precautionary methodology for international, multinational corporations when they send their high-value individuals here to do site visits, to meet with business associates. Now the requests are from local companies, which don't have an international footprint but feel uncomfortable driving in and around the country’s metros because of opportunistic kidnappings.”

Thornhill warns it’s not just the “fancy cars” that are at risk, ordinary people are also easy targets, especially when driving in unfamiliar areas and distracted. He explains that kidnappers want access to their victims’ phones, which contain banking apps, emails, and other communication tools that allow them to extort money quickly.

If their victims can’t provide cash, kidnappers come prepared with card machines for payments. “They are actually registering formal bank accounts, formal businesses to extract the money from your account,” says Thornhill. “So if you have a R100 000 account limit but a R1 million in your bank account, the chances are good that you will be held by kidnappers for up to 10 days.” “We've seen people being held for up to five days. We've seen people held for one day.”

Private investigator Rick Crouch says kidnappings targeting high-net-worth individuals are evolving, with both short “express” abductions and longer ransom-focused operations on the rise. While organised kidnappings still occur, most are opportunistic and target people with visible signs of wealth like luxury vehicles, domestic staff, or high-profile social media presence.

“The modus operandi for high-net-worth individuals includes surveillance, use of insiders like drivers or staff, vehicle interception, abducting family members, often children or partners, and demands for encrypted communications and complex ransom negotiations,” he explains.

Though metros are prime targets, some groups operate cross-border, complicating recovery efforts. To mitigate risk, Crouch advises “layered security” which include secure school or home drop-off plans, vetted staff, route variation, armoured or secure vehicles, kidnapping and ransom insurance, professional crisis response plans, and discreet communications with trained negotiators. “The bottom line: high-value targets must be prepared before it happens,” says Crouch.

Specialist investigator Mike Bolhuis warns that many people unwittingly make themselves targets by sharing too much information on social media. “Cybercrime is used in most crimes. Photos, videos, travel routes, friends, and even banking details can be gleaned from the internet.”

Lizette Lancaster from the Institute for Security Studies says the “true figure” of kidnappings in South Africa will never be known but estimates they have increased by almost 300% in just a decade. In contrast to other violent crimes that have shown signs of decline, kidnappings continue to rise sharply.

“There are many that might not even be reported to the police because families are told not to report, or are scared something might happen to the victim. Even after release, victims may avoid reliving the ordeal or fear the kidnappers will return,” she says.

She referred to the kidnapping of the four Moti brothers in Polokwane three years ago. The boys were abducted on their way to school and dumped 100km from home three months later. The family refused to discuss the case, fearing reprisals.

Lancaster says official police statistics show an average of 50 kidnappings daily, but many more go unreported. “We've seen an exponential rise in kidnappings over the past decade and a half because criminals see it as a lucrative, lower-risk crime compared to armed robbery. Kidnapping is no longer just the domain of transnational professional groups; extortion gangs are also using it as a modus operandi.”

Most victims are taken during armed robberies which target cash businesses with little private security. She says kidnappings often happen in front of homes, shops, or while traveling, places where people are vulnerable.

Lancaster warns that kidnapping is highly sophisticated and well-planned, not just random snatchings. “With more groups targeting high-value individuals, and copycat gangs emerging, there’s a growing demand for bodyguards. Even controversial and political figures now use private security for personal protection.” 

She adds that flaunting your lifestyle on social media can make you an easy target. “For many kidnappings for ransom, inside information is key; whether it comes from family members, employees, places of worship, or other close contacts. We’ve seen kidnappings from places of worship too.”

Catia Folgore, product head for Crisis Management at ITOO Special Risks, says their policies cover 14 events, including express kidnapping. “Express kidnapping refers to the abduction or attempted abduction where the captive surrenders personal belongings or readily available assets in exchange for release. This could mean withdrawing cash from an ATM, transferring funds from banking apps or accounts until funds are depleted.”

She says ITOO Special Risks provides specialist responders which are available to victims 24/7, ready to assist families with negotiations and safe releases, along with counselling and reimbursement.

“Families and big corporates are realising the necessity of this cover to protect their employees and staff members. Together with our reinsurers, we have over 3,000 clients… a large number of corporates take out Special Risks policies. At the moment, living in SA is high risk,” Folgore says.

The police had not responded to requests for comment by the time of going to print.