The increasing number of kidnappings, especially targeting Indian traders in Vhembe, has become a source of great concern. In recent times, several incidents where prominent businesspeople or members of their families have been kidnapped and ransom demanded have occurred. In some cases, the families of the victims had to pay large ransoms in exchange for the release of their loved ones.

Details about the incidents are sketchy as families do not speak about them openly for fear of their safety. Whether a syndicate might be at work or these are the acts of small groups of criminals is still unclear at this point.

In the past few months, several kidnapping incidents were reported in the Thohoyandou area and other parts of the Limpopo province. Mr Pratham Berawala (20) from Thohoyandou P East was kidnapped on 3 January this year and released the next day. He was driving from his home to town when he was abducted.

An eight-year-old girl was kidnapped near her home on her way from school on 9 March this year and released two days later (on 11 March).

Ms Hafsa Nazir Patel (48) was kidnapped outside her house on 29 June 2022 and released the same night.

Mr Muntazir Hanif (35) was kidnapped on 3 February this year on his way home and released again two days later (on 5 February).

These are just a few of the reported cases in the Thohoyandou area.

In one of the most recent incidents, a 65-year-old Thohoyandou businessman spent a horrific six days in the hands of kidnappers. On 31 May, Mr Ismail Muhammed Patel was abducted and taken to an unknown address, where the kidnappers started making demands for ransom. They allegedly made withdrawals from his bank accounts and left him starved while they used his money. On 5 June, he was released. Whether any ransom money was paid for his release remains unclear. His family has requested privacy, stating that he was still under severe stress and too traumatised to speak about the matter.

The incident has sent shockwaves and fear throughout the closely knit Indian community. The question being raised by many is whether Indian traders have become soft targets for criminals.

An Indian community leader in Thohoyandou expressed the community's frustration with crime, saying that regular meetings with the police to address crime-related issues had ceased three years ago. Since then, they have had no peace in the area, with robberies and kidnappings occurring all around. The community feel as if they have become cash cows for criminals, and despite providing information about the criminals to the police, no action is being taken to apprehend them. The community feels besieged and fearful, not knowing who the next victim will be.

Recent crime statistics have shown an increase in kidnappings. Between January and March of this year, 3,641 kidnappings have taken place in the country - an increase of 335 compared to the previous three months, averaging 40 kidnappings per day. Kidnappings for ransom are also on the rise, particularly in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng, where businesspeople, especially foreigners, are being targeted.

Last Friday, a prominent Limpopo businessman, Mr Solly Tayob, was abducted in Burgersfort. The police reported that Mr Tayob was standing at his filling station next to his Hyundai dealership when the incident occurred at about 19:30.

At the time of our going to press, no comment had been received from the SAPS in Limpopo.