Kidnappings in South Africa have grown by 183% in the past decade. It has become a profitable industry targeting not only the wealthy but also individuals in the middle to lower income groups. As South Africans, we often have a mindset that it can't happen to us.

Kidnappings can occur for a relatively small ransom, where individuals are taken to ATMs and forced to withdraw their savings. For the wealthy, the situation can mean being held hostage until a larger ransom is paid.

Another concern is the excessive amount of time people spend on social media without realizing that they are providing attackers with important information about their personal lives, work, and even their children. Kidnappers are skilled at extracting information from platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and more. Additionally, our lack of situational awareness, often consumed by our phones, makes us vulnerable, unaware that we are left behind in a cargo vehicle. It is of utmost importance for the general public to take this threat seriously, as we are all potential targets.

To reduce the risk of becoming a victim of kidnapping, there are several basic steps you can take. Firstly, a major concern is the excessive amount of information people share on social media about their personal lives, work, and even their children. Kidnappers are skilled at extracting information from platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Here, we suffer from a lack of situational awareness.

Always be aware of your surroundings and the people in it - this includes when you are in new places, at work, at a shopping center, or even at home. Be alert to anyone who may be loitering, watching you, or following you.

Avoid walking alone, especially in remote areas and particularly at night. If possible, travel with others or stay in well-lit and populated areas where there are more people.

When in your car, make sure your car doors are locked and the windows are rolled up. Be especially cautious when stopping at intersections or in heavy traffic.

It is also wise to park in well-lit areas or as close as possible to your destination.

Be cautious when accepting rides from strangers, including ride services and even individuals pretending to be police officers.

Let someone know where you are, especially if you are going out late or traveling with someone new. This way, someone is always aware of your plans and can provide help if needed.

Lastly, if you find yourself in a situation where kidnappers are trying to take you, it is essential to fight back with everything you have or comply if fighting back would put you in even greater danger.

Finally, feel free to visit our website ssclegacy.com for our Personal Safety, Kidnapping & Hijacking Prevention online course.