The Portuguese government will ask South Africa to step up policing and security for Portuguese-South African businessmen who have been targeted in an unprecedented wave of kidnappings in Gauteng province, a diplomatic source told Luce today.
At least 32 Portuguese-South African businessmen have been kidnapped for ransom in the South African province of Gauteng, the epicentre of violent crime and kidnappings in the African country, several sources told Luce over the past 18 months.
Official figures released by the South African Police indicate that between October and December 2023, there was a 20% increase in kidnappings in Gauteng province, with 2,367 cases recorded, accounting for more than half of the country’s kidnappings during the period under review (4,577 cases).