New Crime Tactic in South Africa So Bad Other Countries Are Warning Their Citizens

South Africa’s kidnapping-for-ransom crisis has escalated to such alarming levels that foreign embassies are now issuing formal warnings to their citizens. The Chinese Embassy, in particular, has raised the red flag after a disturbing spike in violent attacks, abductions, and home invasions targeting Chinese nationals in recent months.

In a public alert issued in late May 2025, the embassy urged its citizens living in or visiting South Africa to take extraordinary safety precautions.

“The situation requires urgent attention,” the embassy stated, citing two kidnappings and a fatal home invasion in just one weekend. “Chinese nationals must heighten their security awareness and take proactive steps to avoid violent crime.”

Gauteng and Eastern Cape: Kidnapping Hotspots

A follow-up statement on 6 July 2025 specifically identified Gauteng and the Eastern Cape as danger zones, where kidnapping syndicates are actively operating, especially after business hours and on weekends, when many targets are vulnerable and police response times are slower.

The embassy warned:

• Avoid going out after dark

• Use professional security services

• Close businesses by 5 PM in winter

• Do not wear or display valuables

• Always travel with someone

• Carry panic buttons or tracking devices

Vulnerable groups,  including the elderly and small business owners,  were especially urged to remain cautious.

Kidnapping Surging Across South Africa

While the embassy’s warnings are directed at its own citizens, the underlying danger affects everyone in South Africa. According to SAPS, 4,571 kidnapping cases were reported in the first three months of 2025 alone — a 6.8% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

That translates to an average of 51 people abducted every day.

• Gauteng accounts for more than half of all kidnapping cases (52.8%)

• KwaZulu-Natal follows with 18.7%

• Mpumalanga contributes 5.6%

• Western Cape and Free State saw a decline, but concerns remain

In Gauteng, nearly 150 kidnappings-for-ransom were reported in just the first quarter, nearly two per day.

Businesses Under Threat

The crime wave is taking a serious toll on the economy, especially in the Eastern Cape, where business leaders have sounded the alarm.

At the Ultra Performers Gala in Gqeberha, mall developer Sisa Ngalwana said that the abduction and extortion of businesspeople is scaring off investors and stalling development.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber echoed these concerns. CEO Denise van Huyssteen said police are under-resourced, and crime is spiralling.

“High poverty is no excuse for lawlessness,” she said. “Unless safety improves, we risk losing investment and jobs.”

Urgent Need for Action

This surge in violent crime is not just a security issue, it’s an economic and social crisis. The Chinese Embassy’s warnings might seem dramatic, but they reflect a reality that too many South Africans already live with.

If urgent steps aren’t taken to bolster law enforcement, intelligence gathering, and community policing, the fear that currently grips foreign nationals could soon become the norm for everyone.

{Source: BusinessTech}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com