New training aims to empower communities to tackle rising child kidnappings

AfriForum’s Community Safety Division is making a new national training module available to its 177 neighbourhood and farm watch structures on August 8.

Jacques Broodryk, spokesperson for the organisation’s Community Safety arm, told Rekord that this follows a spate of kidnappings and child kidnappings.

As an example, he referred to the kidnapping of five children that had been reported in the past three months at the Garsfontein Police Station in Pretoria east.

In Pretoria alone, 108 cases of child kidnapping were reported to the SAPS between January and March this year, and of these, 22 cases were reported in the CBD in Pretoria.

However, he said, this problem is widespread. Communities live in fear as criminals increasingly target vulnerable individuals such as children and women for financial gain.

Kidnappings have increased by almost 264%, from 4 692 cases in 2014/15 to 17 061 cases in 2023/24.

The cases in Gauteng contribute to 52.8% of all kidnapping cases reported in the country.

Cases of kidnapping and child kidnapping in the North West increased to 2 414 between January and March this year, compared to 2 085 in the first quarter of last year.

According to Broodryk, this is a national trend, and due to a lack of prompt action, the suspects in these cases are rarely apprehended.

“We are doing this to make communities safer and alert children who are often kidnapped for human trafficking and in family disputes,” he said.

He explained that this module is designed to equip neighbourhood watch members with the necessary knowledge and skills to prevent and respond to kidnappings.

The module outlines the different forms of kidnapping and explains various behavioural indicators, as well as practical prevention and response strategies.

The content also includes checklists, real-life case studies, and guidance for co-ordinating with law enforcement and emergency services.

He said it is necessary to equip neighbourhood watch members with this knowledge, as cases of kidnapping and child abduction pose a threat to communities’ well-being.

“Every case of kidnapping or abduction is not just a crime, it is a direct attack on our families, our children and our sense of security.

“This training will empower communities to be the first and fastest line of defence and play an active role in combating this terrible crime,” he said.

AfriForum’s training module is a critical step in bridging the safety gap caused by unresponsive and understaffed law enforcement.

Broodryk is calling on communities to make a conscious effort to increase their safety.

“Simple steps like changing your daily routine regularly, being aware of your surroundings, and knowing the latest crime trends can help prevent you from becoming an easy target.”

The training module also outlines several prevention tips for securing homes, workplaces, and children to limit the risk of kidnapping.

Some of the tips include being cautious about information shared on social media platforms, using GPS devices for children and the elderly, and being aware of emergency procedures that can be followed.

The organisation calls on all communities to remain vigilant and to get involved in safety structures in their areas.

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