DA warns of rising kidnappings and truck hijackings in Gauteng communities

Some communities in Gauteng have seen sharp increases in kidnappings, truck hijackings and other serious offences, the DA says, even as the province recorded overall declines in several major crime categories.

Where the increases are occurring

According to The Citizen, the DA highlighted specific areas in which kidnappings have climbed markedly. “In the City of Joburg, Jeppe recorded a 47.8% increase in kidnappings, from 69 to 102 cases,” DA Gauteng shadow MEC for community safety Crezane Bosch said. The Citizen reported that Douglasdale recorded a 44.1% increase and Honeydew a 34.8% increase in kidnappings.

The Citizen said the DA also reported increases in Tshwane and the Sedibeng region: “In Tshwane, Mamelodi East and Loate recorded 12 more kidnapping cases, while Emfuleni, Evaton recorded a 30.6% increase.”

Truck hijackings surge in multiple hotspots

The Citizen quoted the DA as saying there has been a “dramatic increase in truck hijackings.” The Citizen reported steep percentage rises at several stations and communities: Barrage police station recorded a 350% increase in truck hijackings, Vanderbijlpark recorded a 200% increase, Muldersdrift a 300% increase and Krugersdorp a 200% increase. In Johannesburg, The Citizen said truck hijackings rose by 160% in Orange Farm and 66.7% in Jeppe.

Other vehicle and violent-crime trends

The Citizen reported additional localised increases in vehicle-related and violent crime. The DA said Ivory Park recorded a 10.5% increase in serious crimes, up from 1 273 to 1 407 cases. In Tshwane, The Citizen said Sinoville recorded a 45.8% increase in car theft.

On the West Rand, The Citizen reported the DA’s figures showing rises across several categories in Kagiso: a 17.5% increase in murders, a 22.7% increase in sexual offences, a 31.6% increase in kidnappings and a 7.9% increase in contact crimes.

Concerns over policing and investigations

The Citizen quoted DA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane describing a policing concern: Rasilingwane found the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department in Edenvale nearly empty after officers were seconded to the Kempton Park station, The Citizen reported.

DA’s framing

The Citizen reported the DA’s argument that provincial averages mask localised danger, and that residents judge safety by what happens in their communities. The DA linked the rise in kidnappings to organised criminal activity, extortion and ransom operations, according to The Citizen.

Calls for effective investigations

The Citizen reported a comment from University of Limpopo criminology professor Witness Maluleke urging that arrests be followed by effective criminal investigations.