Germiston police rescued two individuals from a kidnapping ordeal that began in the Balfour area.
Germiston police lauded for saving victims from horror kidnapping
The victims were abducted and forced to endure a terrifying experience at the hands of their captors, who posed as police officers using a white Toyota Corolla, with the registration HH16__GP.
Acting on critical intelligence, the police traced the victims to a house in Rondebult, Germiston. As the police arrived, the suspects, sensing their impending capture, fled through nearby railway lines, narrowly escaping arrest.
The victims, traumatised but safe, were found inside the suspect’s house.
Police sources confirm that further investigations have led to the identification of the suspects, and arrests are imminent.
During the ordeal, the victims were coerced under threat of violence to transfer funds from their bank accounts. The victim’s Mercedes V300 with registration plates KTC816MP, remains missing.
Did you know? – Gauteng is South Africa’s kidnapping hotspot
Recent statistics indicate a worrying trend, with over 3 000 cases reported in just three months.
Gauteng, the province where this latest kidnapping occurred, has been identified as a hotspot, with the highest number of kidnapping cases in the country.
SAPS reports a nearly 200% increase in kidnappings over the past decade, with figures soaring from 3 832 cases in 2013 to nearly 11 000 in 2021.
The first quarter of 2023 alone saw 3 641 cases, marking a 10% rise compared to the same period in 2022.
This upward trajectory in kidnapping cases is driven by the rise of transnational organised crime syndicates, with Gauteng being the epicentre of this crisis.
Criminals are diversifying their targets, not just focusing on the wealthy but also targeting ordinary citizens for quick financial gains.
The establishment of the Anti-Kidnapping Task Team by SAPS in 2021 has led to some success in combating these crimes, with investigations into ransom demands and multiple arrests.