RISE OF KIDNAPPINGS AND THEIR LINK TO EXTORTION IN SOUTH AFRICA @KASIBCNEWS 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) strongly condemns the alarming rise in kidnappings across South Africa, which has seen a staggering increase of over 260% in the last decade. With more than 17,000 kidnappings recorded in the past year alone, recent reports show that this surge is directly connected to the growing extortion crisis that continues to terrorise communities, businesses, and individuals throughout the country. Kidnapping has become a central feature of the extortion rackets that have taken root in South Africa, with criminal groups exploiting the vulnerability of citizens and using violence and coercion to extract ransom payments. 

This trend mirrors global patterns of organised crime, where extortion and kidnapping are intertwined, creating a toxic cycle of violence and fear. These criminals, armed and highly organised, have turned communities into hunting grounds for their illicit activities, leaving thousands of South Africans living in terror. In fact, South Africa is now considered the sixth highest country for kidnappings.

The EFF has repeatedly raised the issue of extortion and the criminal networks behind it in Parliament, demanding urgent and decisive action from the government. Yet, despite our calls, the ruling government and its law enforcement agencies have been slow to respond. Extortion first emerged as a significant problem in KwaZulu-Natal around 2014, but by 2019, it had spread to other provinces, embedding itself into township economies, rural areas, construction sites, and even public services. This slow and inadequate state response has allowed the criminal practice of extortion to become normalised and entrenched across the country.

The failure to combat extortion at its roots has contributed to the surge in kidnappings, as criminals exploit a state that is both unwilling or unable to protect its people. Business owners, community leaders, and ordinary citizens are being brutalised into compliance with criminal gangs, while the state has remained largely ineffective in providing the necessary protection and justice. In September, our Commander-in-Chief Julius Malema brought forward a draft resolution to fight for the safety and security of South Africans. Our proposed resolution calls for the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee dedicated to investigating the widespread issue of extortion across South Africa. 

This committee will hold public hearings, seek input from small business owners, civil society groups, and subject matter experts, and develop comprehensive policy and legislative recommendations to eliminate this crime. Parliament must take a central role in holding the government accountable and ensuring robust oversight in the ongoing battle against extortion. We will continue to lobby for the adoption of this resolution demand as we cannot allow extortion and kidnapping to become part of the fabric of our society. Additionally, the EFF will continue to expose these injustices and hold the state accountable for its failure to protect our people from the violence of organised crime.