By: Zahid Jadwat

According to a criminologist, the recent arrest of an alleged kidnapping kingpin is “reassuring”, but it is unlikely that the spate of kidnappings would ultimately be eradicated.

In an interview with Radio Islam, criminologist and forensic psychologist Prof. Gerard Labuschagne said those involved in kidnappings are likely to be replaced after arrests, making it difficult to stop the crime.

“These organisations are going to be split up in various cells and various levels. I don’t think it’s going to stop the industry; I think they will just replace whoever was taken, or someone else will step up and take their place,” he said.

Crime statistics indicate that kidnappings have doubled in Gauteng, with an increase from 568 in the third quarter of the previous financial year to 1,200 in the same period this year.

Police recently hailed the successful rescue and return of businessman Zaheer Asmal who was kidnapped from his business premises in De Deur, Gauteng, last Friday. They described it as a “breakthrough”.

Labuschagne believes the lucrative nature of the kidnapping industry means that it will “never go away”, but “Police successes can disrupt it and – perhaps – make some people think twice about getting into the industry”.

In the meantime, he advises vulnerable individuals to hire bodyguards: “You find that the people who were kidnapped didn’t have any form of close protection security. It doesn’t stop the process, but it just deters them from a particular target.”

Listen to the full interview here: