Kidnapping “epidemic” in SA, world as ransoms rocket

The growing numbers of kidnapping and extortion incidents in South Africa and across the world have reached epidemic proportions as soaring ransom payments make it a growth industry for criminals.

Keith Marshall regional manager at AIG SA said that the average ransom payment has doubled in the last four years with some payment demands exceeding USD 50 million.

“Globally the kidnap epidemic is rising. As the stakes get higher, it is vital to engage professionals to ensure the incident is resolved as quickly and as safely as possible.

“South Africans may be unaware of the extent to which kidnapping of high net worth and high profile individuals is taking place in South Africa. South Africans who travel extensively, especially into Africa, are also at risk.”

Marshall notes that people tend to think that kidnapping is isolated to countries like Columbia, but globally kidnapping is becoming an alternative source of income for criminals as banks, ATMs and transit vehicles heighten their security measures.

According to South African police statistics, 2323 kidnappings were reported in 2007/2008 with a vast majority conducted in Gauteng. Marshall points out that this number may be higher as many incidents are not reported.

“Kidnapping is not a well documented crime in South Africa. Many victims who are returned are threatened by their kidnappers to not report the crime”.

Kidnappers are criminals who typically display pathological tendencies and are usually highly intelligent. Negotiating with them to return the victim unharmed requires specialist training and it is for this reason that AIG SA employs the services of Clayton Consultants, a global leading crisis management and security firm.

Clayton offers specialist trained consultants to assist in the initial training of kidnap avoidance for policy holders and, importantly, physical deployment into a kidnapping to assist the corporate and family in safely retrieving the victim.

Mark Courtney of Clayton Consultants notes, “A kidnapping is a highly emotional time and confusion reigns for everyone involved. Imagine being told that your loved one has died.
“The family members or friends experience this traumatic emotion every time the kidnapper calls. So it is imperative that we get involved immediately and institute some calm and counsel”.

With the consultants’ years of experience and training, the team is able to reassure the corporate or family on what is required and what can be expected. Consultants work alongside the victim’s family to ascertain the welfare of the victim and manage the ensuing days to negotiate the safe and speedy return of the victim.

“That is our number one priority”, notes Courtney.
Retrieving a kidnapped victim can be an expensive exercise. In addition to the services of specialist consultants, AIG’s Kidnap and Ransom (K&R) policy includes the ransom or extortion payment, possible legal fees, relocation of families, and trauma counseling both during and after the experience.