Kidnapping of foreigners must be stopped
Police and affected parties must co-operate to get to bottom of problem
“Don’t go to the police or the newspapers, or you will be killed.”
This seems to be a tactic used by kidnappers to scare off family members of foreigners after they have been kidnapped.
Reports of the kidnapping of foreigners who run businesses in SA are seemingly on the rise.
East London has also not been spared, with two incidents, one in Quigney and the other in Southernwood, reported this month.
The aim of the perpetrators is to extort money.
These incidents take place in front of innocent people at times, and undermine the rule of law.
Law enforcement needs to step up its game and bring an end to this syndicate.
Foreigners who spoke to the Dispatch were fearful, with some not even trusting the media.
The three business owners the Dispatch tried to speak to this week either questioned how their cellphone numbers had ended up with journalists or promised they would come back to comment, and never did.
Some foreigners said they were considering leaving the East London area because they were afraid.
That they don’t trust anything around them is understandable.
Crime levels are gruesome. While it is the duty of police to combat, prevent and investigate crime, it is also the responsibility of citizens to assist them.
Lawlessness is unacceptable and whoever perpetuates this kind of crime needs to be told that SA is not, or must not be, a lawless country.
The constitution of the country guarantees the safety and protection of everyone living in the country and their property, including upholding and enforcing the law.
It also says police should create a safe and secure environment for all.
That this type of syndicate is being referred to the Hawks is a good move.
The Hawks’ kidnapping task team has been investigating these incidents.
Their problem is that families of victims do not fully co-operate with them, terrified that doing so will cause the death of their loved ones.
We hope foreign nationals who own businesses in SA can come up with solutions and partner with the bodies that can help fight this awful crime.
The Quigney video, of an incident that took place on October 11, is a clear indication of the level of sophistication involved. The first step is to report the incident to police and thereafter co-operate with them.
Second, people need to tighten up their security by involving police if they cannot hire their own private guards.
It would be unfortunate to see foreigners giving in to perpetrators’ tactics.
That would not help bring these incidents to an end.
The question is, who are these sinister perpetrators and what are their intentions?
Are the acts driven by competition over business interests? Or is this just another criminal racket?
It is, however, the duty of law enforcement officers, assisted by the affected parties, to get to the bottom of this.