Kempton Park records Gauteng’s highest kidnapping tally as cases rise 58.3%

Kempton Park has become the kidnapping hotspot in Gauteng, with 76 cases reported between April and June, marking a 58.3% rise from the previous year. The Gauteng Provincial Legislature's Portfolio Committee on Community Safety expressed concern over the surge in kidnappings, urging urgent action. Across Gauteng, 2,367 kidnapping cases were recorded during the same period, accounting for over half of the 4,638 reported nationally.

Ekurhuleni is grappling with the discovery of nine women's bodies in recent weeks, adding to the region's safety concerns. The latest crime statistics from the South African Police Service (SAPS) reveal that Kempton Park police station recorded 76 kidnapping cases in the latest quarter, compared to 48 cases in the same period last year. Ivory Park police station saw a 22% increase in kidnapping cases, while Vosloorus police station recorded a 24.6% decrease.

The committee warned that kidnapping is not an isolated crime, as it is linked to hijacking, organized crime, and ransom demands. They emphasized that law enforcement agencies and government levels must work together to combat the issue. In response, the committee called for intensified policing, intelligence-led investigations, and visible interventions to protect residents.

SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi explained that most kidnappings are "express kidnappings," where victims are abducted for a short period while suspects empty their bank accounts or transfer money before releasing them. However, the agency emphasized the need for caution against concluding the causes of the increase without considering individual cases.

Crime expert Yusuf Abramjee highlighted that Ekurhuleni's status as a major transport, logistics, and economic hub provides opportunities for organized criminal groups to target victims. He urged authorities to identify and disrupt the networks behind these crimes rather than focusing solely on individual arrests.

Nehson Pillay, Gauteng Provincial Community Police Board executive public relations officer, emphasized that tackling kidnapping requires collaboration between SAPS, EMPD, the City of Ekurhuleni, and community structures. Poor lighting, overgrown areas, abandoned buildings, and unmonitored open spaces were identified as factors that could contribute to public safety issues.

ActionSA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Xolani Khumalo further criticized the neglected state of Kempton Park's CBD, alleging that hijacked buildings were being used as brothels and drug dens, contributing to criminality.

The committee urged for stronger intelligence gathering, better coordination between law enforcement agencies, targeted operations in hotspot areas, and deeper engagement with communities to address the growing issue of kidnappings in Kempton Park.