| Kidnapping crisis: Police Minister Bheki Cele must establish an extortion and kidnapping task force for Cape Town | Kidnapping crisis: Police Minister Bheki Cele must establish an extortion and kidnapping task force for Cape Town | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Former%20Mayors%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <p>Statement by Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis<br></p> | <p>The alarming rise in the number of kidnapping cases in Cape Town, and across South Africa, requires urgent action from the SAPS top management. I am calling on the national police management and Police Minister to immediately establish a multi-disciplinary operational task team focused on tackling kidnapping and extortion activities in Cape Town. <br><br>It was reported earlier this year that in 2017, out of 65 countries (where statistics are available), South Africa already ranked third-highest with a rate of 9,6 kidnappings per 100 000 people. In 2021/22, this figure has now jumped to 11 per 100 000 people.<br> <br>I note that the National Police Ministry and SAPS top management are holding a media briefing about their investigations into kidnapping and extortion today. </p><p>While I am sure everyone is eager to hear about any progress on existing cases, I want to emphasise the need for immediate action from the SAPS to tackle this crisis going forward. We cannot allow a small handful of criminal syndicates to get away with these crimes in our city.</p><p>To effectively eradicate kidnapping and extortion in the City, we urgently need a fully-fledged extortion and kidnapping task team which should include SAPS, Western Cape Government and the City of Cape Town. </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>End</strong></p><p><br></p> | 2022-09-14T22:00:00Z | GP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891d;GP0|#904f8ac3-ad18-4896-a9a8-86feb1d4a1b7;L0|#0904f8ac3-ad18-4896-a9a8-86feb1d4a1b7|Statements | | | | | GP0|#fa398fa6-831f-4358-9c72-e9afa39997c9;L0|#0fa398fa6-831f-4358-9c72-e9afa39997c9|SAPS;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#90b49a62-96e2-436a-9c68-187c9ab33534;L0|#090b49a62-96e2-436a-9c68-187c9ab33534|Mayor;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#633591e2-ed41-4816-9750-3d5f5090deda;L0|#0633591e2-ed41-4816-9750-3d5f5090deda|illegal activity;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | 0 |
