While police have confirmed they are investigating murder and kidnapping following the July 9 attack on the N3 on-ramp from Van Buuren Road, investigators have stressed that it is too early to speculate on what led to the incident.

The motive remains unknown and police have not linked the case to any specific criminal trend.

The attack does, however, serve as a reminder that kidnappings are an increasing concern across Gauteng.

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In a recent interview with Bedfordview and Edenvale News and published on July 8, IRS Forensic Investigations CEO Chad Thomas warned that express kidnappings have become increasingly common over the past five years.

Thomas explained that express kidnappings generally fall into two categories.

The first involves victims being lured to fake online sales, where they are robbed, held captive and forced to hand over banking credentials.

The second is an evolution of the traditional hijacking or armed robbery, where victims are abducted for a short time and forced to unlock banking apps, transfer money or make cash withdrawals before being released.

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He cautioned that many of these crimes are carried out by copycat criminals, who are often less organised than established syndicates, making encounters more unpredictable and potentially more dangerous.

Following the July 9 incident, residents are reminded to remain vigilant and take simple precautions:
• Stay aware of your surroundings, especially when driving.
• Share your route and expected arrival time with a trusted family member or friend.
• Use location-sharing and tracking services such as Life360, and ensure vehicle tracking devices are active.
• Be cautious when responding to online marketplace advertisements or meeting unknown buyers or sellers.
• If someone goes missing unexpectedly, report it to SAPS immediately. There is no 24-hour waiting period.
• If confronted by armed criminals, prioritise your life over your possessions.

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In June this year, an express kidnapping survivor told Bedfordview and Edenvale News that keeping family informed of her movements and having active tracking services may have contributed to her being located sooner.

She also urged motorists to think carefully about what sensitive information is accessible on their mobile devices and to avoid unnecessary risks when travelling alone.