Police provide safety tips on abductions and kidnappings.
Sophiatown Police Station is not going to wait until it is too late to help equip the public with information to avoid being abducted and/or kidnapped. Spokesperson Captain TJ de Bruyn said anyone can be a victim of such traumatic crimes and believes that is why it is important to share this information with the public. Although it is a crime that can be done to anyone, woman and children are the easiest and most common targets.
The captain also explained the difference between abduction and kidnapping. Abduction is defined as the act when someone uses force or deception to take away a person from home or any other place with the intent to rape, kill or marry the person against their will. Kidnapping is when a person is taken away against their will and holding them in a false imprisonment. This is usually done for motives such as ransom or to settle issues.
De Bruyn added that anyone could be a potential perpetrator/offender. This includes family members, acquaintances, business partners, competitors, traditional and spiritual healers and medical practitioners.
Who is most vulnerable:
- Children
- Women
- Members of the LGBTI community
- People with albinism
- Vulnerable groups.
Reasons for abduction and kidnapping:
- To settle unresolved issues
- To be used as sex slaves/rape
- Human trafficking
- For rituals and muthi
- Traditional and customary practices
- Political influences or grudges
- Harvesting of organs for illicit organ transplants
- Illicit market for child pornography.
Safety tips:
- Avoid befriending unknown and untrustworthy people
- Refrain from posting personal information online
- Do not send or post provocative images
- Do not take threats lightly
- Inform someone when you notice changed violent behaviour from a partner, friend, and/or spouse towards you or your children
- Be cautious when updating your social media status on your whereabouts
- Avoid arranging meetings with social media friends you have never met before and sending locations
- Be cautious of your surroundings.
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