PROJECT: THE ALARMING RISE OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN SOUTH AFRICAN KIDNAPPINGS - THE "DEVIL'S RANSOM"

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Aug 5
6 min read

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Kidnappings in South Africa have evolved into something far more sinister than simple ransom demands.

A horrifying trend known as the “Devil’s Ransom” has emerged, in which abductors sexually assault their victims,

male and female, and film the attacks to force compliance from distraught families.

These videos are then used as psychological weapons to coerce quick ransom payments.

This tactic represents one of the most brutal criminal evolutions in recent memory,

exposing the depths of human depravity and the urgent need for public awareness and systemic reform.

The term “Devil’s Ransom”—referring to kidnappings in South Africa where sexual violence is filmed and used to coerce ransom payments—is relatively new and has been popularised by investigative journalism, notably by TimesLIVE and Sunday Times.
The phrase was coined by senior reporter Hendrik Hancke, who described this horrific tactic in a 25 May 2025 article titled “Devil’s ransom: kidnappers use horror rape videos to extort victims’ families” https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/news/2025-05-25-devils-ransom-kidnappers-use-horror-rape-videos-to-extort-victims-families/ .
WHY THE "DEVIL'S RANSOM:
- SYMBOLIC LANGUAGE:
  - The word "Devil" captures the extreme cruelty and moral degradation of perpetrators.
  - By weaponising sexual violence for ransom, criminals are committing acts that transcend ordinary kidnapping.
- PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR:
  - Families are forced into compliance not by threats alone, but by witnessing recorded assaults on their loved ones, an act likened to psychological torture.
- DISTINCTION FROM TRADITIONAL KIDNAPPING:
  - This phrase clearly differentiates the new sexual-extortion strategy from standard ransom-focused abductions, underscoring how profoundly the crime has evolved.

THE EVOLUTION OF KIDNAPPINGS IN SOUTH AFRICA:

Kidnappings in South Africa have traditionally involved ransom demands, with victims often being released relatively unharmed once payment is made.
According to SAPS data, over 4,000 kidnappings were reported in the last quarter of 2024 alone, a staggering figure that represents the growing frequency and boldness of these crimes.
The Devil’s Ransom tactic marks a shift toward weaponised sexual violence, which is used as leverage.
It goes beyond criminal greed; this is terrorism targeted at families.
This form of extortion relies on shock and trauma to break victims’ loved ones emotionally and force swift payment, often before law enforcement is able to intervene.

MODUS OPERANDI:

SEXUAL VIOLENCE AS LEVERAGE:
- Victims are subjected to rape and sexual assault by their captors.
- These acts are filmed and sent to the victim's family or loved ones as proof of harm and as a threat of further abuse.
- The aim is to devastate the family into immediately complying with the ransom demands.
VIDEO-BASED PSYCHOLOGICAL EXTORTION:
- These videos are intended to validate the kidnapper’s threat - they are calculated means to traumatise the victim and the loved ones of the victim.
- The emotional pressure applied by showing this footage to parents, partners, or siblings leads to quick, uncalculated payments, leaving little room for negotiation or police involvement.
- The damage is not only financial – this form of terror lasts long after the event, and affects the whole family.
DIVERSE RANSOM AMOUNTS:
- Ransom figures vary widely.
- Some victims are taken in "express kidnappings - in which as little as R500 to R2,000 is demanded.
- These payments are extracted via forced bank withdrawals or e-wallet transfers.
- Others are abducted in targeted, high-stakes operations demanding up to R90 million, particularly in the case of business owners, professionals, or public figures.
TWO TYPES OF PERPETRATORS:
- Organised Syndicates:
  - These groups plan sophisticated abductions, often with access to surveillance, corrupt officials, and international smuggling routes.
- Opportunistic Criminals:
  - Operating at a street level, they use the same tactics on a smaller scale, often targeting average citizens using intimidation and quick access to mobile banking.
MULTIFACETED CRIME WEB:
- Kidnappings are often part of larger criminal ecosystems involving:
  - Stolen vehicles.
  - Drug trafficking.
  - Human trafficking (including sexual exploitation and forced labour).
ARMS SMUGGLING:
- Some syndicates are believed to have regional connections stretching into Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria, which complicates law enforcement operations.
PRIMARY GOAL - SPEED:
- According to Colonel Ishmael Dawood, a senior officer with SAPS’s anti-kidnapping task force, the use of sexual violence is specifically designed to "hasten the payment process."
- Families are deliberately overwhelmed with horror to prevent them from stalling, involving police, or negotiating.

MITIGATING THE RISK:

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS:
- Be alert when arriving or leaving home.
- Scan mirrors for tailing vehicles.
- Avoid distractions like texting in public or sitting in your parked vehicle for long periods.
VEHICLE SAFETY:
- Drive with doors locked and windows up, especially in urban or isolated areas.
- Avoid predictable routines and routes.
- Do not stop for unmarked vehicles flashing blue lights - drive to a nearby police station.
HOME SECURITY:
- Use monitored alarm systems, security cameras, and reinforced gates.
- Avoid opening for unknown visitors. Always verify delivery people or contractors.
- Join or establish a community WhatsApp security group.
ONLINE AND LIFESTYLE PRECAUTIONS:
- Do not share real-time locations on social media.
- Avoid posting about expensive items, home upgrades, or travel plans.
- Be cautious about who knows your daily routines.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS:
- Save emergency numbers (police, private security, family).
- Use panic apps like Namola or wearables linked to security firms.
- Know safe places to drive to if followed (e.g., police stations, hospitals, filling stations with security).
IF ABDUCTED:
- Remain calm and avoid resistance.
- Cooperate initially, especially when facing violence.
- Mentally record voices, faces, routes, and physical details for later reporting.
- Do not provoke or challenge the captors.
- Only attempt escape when it is safe.

The rise of Devil’s Ransom-style kidnappings is a brutal reminder of how crime in South Africa has mutated to exploit psychological warfare.
It is no longer enough to guard our homes and cars; we must now protect our minds and communities.
Efforts to combat crime must be multi-pronged:
- Public Awareness Campaigns to help citizens identify tactics and act proactively.
- Better Training and Resourcing of SAPS and Anti-Kidnapping Units.
- More Funding for Victim Support Services, especially trauma counselling and legal aid.
- Collaboration with Private Security Firms, such as Vision Tactical, Fidelity ADT, and Specialised Security Services, who often have the resources and networks to respond faster than understaffed and overworked police departments.

Devil’s Ransom is a new form of kidnapping - it is a crime of unimaginable cruelty that

uses the deepest possible psychological pain to extract profit.

IT IS AN ACT OF TERROR.

As these attacks continue to rise, it is essential for South Africans to remain informed, cautious, and united.

Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel.

This channel is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.

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