The targeted kidnapping of school children is causing concern for authorities, as a Grade 12 learner managed to escape abduction in Johannesburg.

The girl had managed to fight off the suspects and screamed for help.

This alerted by-standers, and she escaped.

The Sandringham High School learner is receiving counselling after the ordeal.

On Wednesday, a Grade 5 pupil was also allegedly kidnapped outside EP Bauman School in Mayfair, Johannesburg.

These incidents come as South Africa has seen a kidnapping surge over the July to September period.

This was revealed in the quarterly crime statistics. In those three months, 2 000 cases of kidnapping were recorded in South Africa.

Police Minister Bheki Cele says that this category of crime is being closely monitored.

Gauteng has recorded the highest number of these incidents, with 729 reports.

The Minister says that while most of these cases were hijacking related, some were for ransom.

Alcohol

Liquor has once again been associated with violent crime in South Africa.

The figures show that alcohol consumption was a factor in 290 of the murder cases reported during July and September.

This as more than 1 380 rapes were also committed while under the influence of alcohol. 

The latest crime statistics also reveal that over 6000 people have been murdered in South Africa between the months of July and September.

Police Minister Bheki Cele noted that these deaths have increase by more than 1 000 compared to the same period last year.

Of this quarter’s murders, 897 were women.

There has also been an increase in child murders, with that number standing at 287.

[Header image: SAPS]

The Q2 Crime Stats in Numbers: