DTE Protection

18/07/2023

BusinessTech logo

LIFESTYLE
Kidnapping syndicates in South Africa are now going after ‘easier’ targets
Staff Writer
·17 Jul 2023

Kidnapping for ransom and extortion is increasing in South Africa, with lower- and middle-income individuals being targeted by organised kidnapping syndicates, who have expanded their focus beyond high-profile executives.

This trend has become so prevalent that it has given rise to a whole new arm of insurance products that aim to cover families who are at risk.

The latest quarterly stats from the South African Police Service (SAPS) show that kidnappings increased by 10.2% year-on-year from 3,306 cases in Q1 2022 to 3,641 in Q1 2023.

However, this number could be doubled, as many kidnapping incidents are not reported to the SAPS when families of kidnapped victims are told not to do so.

Previous research has shown that kidnapping is growing into a crisis in South Africa, with the targets and perpetrators varied.

The crime is typically associated with syndicates or gangs, and the victims have usually been highly profiled high net worth individuals or businesspeople, or within communities and foreign national demographics.

However, insurers – which have seen opportunity in the escalation – are now noting that almost everyone in the country could be a victim.

“Kidnappings have become a prevalent source of income for syndicates as they prey on individuals who have access to cash. In most instances, the victim has been profiled as to their worth or the family’s worth and the kidnappers ask for an amount they know they can get,” said Hermanus van der Linde, CEO of IntegriSure Brokers.

In the midst of a tough economic climate, criminals are now no longer targeting wealthy individuals, with syndicates now targeting middle-class individuals with the means of a support network to raise smaller ransom amounts.

Notably, a new trend has been seen where the victim is held hostage for roughly a week before any communication is made in regard to a ransom. At this point, the family is so desperate that they pay whatever is asked.

“Less affluent communities are targeted as syndicates have come to realise that low-income earners make for easy targets and do not draw media attention,” van der Linde said.

For instance, a 65-year-old man was recently kidnapped in Limpopo, leading to a nearly month-long investigation and his rescue by the Hawks. However, for every higher-profile case that makes the news, many more incidents take place with the wider public none the wiser.

The increased prevalence of kidnappings in the country has given rise to a whole new insurance market, which is now evolving to cover various complexities involved with the crime.

While kidnapping insurance isn’t entirely new, it is something companies would typically acquire to insure their executives against kidnapping and extortion when travelling to high-risk countries. However, that threat now extends to entire families who are at risk of being kidnapped.

There are, thus, now several products that offer protection against kidnapping, extortion, and hijacking, which can also include an individual’s family.

Several insurance products now also include access to “response consultants” on top of monetary coverage for a ransom. They have also expanded to cover the costs involved with resolving a kidnapping or even go as far as covering some medical expenses like cosmetic surgery.

However, most of this type of cover is squarely out of reach for the demographics now being targetted.

Van der Linde added that the escalation in the number of kidnappings could see the trend surpass cash-in-transit heists in popularity, as kidnappings don’t require gunfire, don’t create a scene, and negotiations for extortion are covert.

Read: Crime syndicates have a new target in South Africa

12/11/2022

02/11/2022

Good day

Benefits of DTE Protection Security Guards:

- Site and Office security patrol.

- Job site or Gate access control for visitors and vehicles.

- Managing Security Protocols.

- Equipment movement/watch logs.

- 24-Hour Guard Services.

- Save from professional burglars.



Reasons for using DTE Protection Security Guards:

- Alertness

- Physical Fitness

- Honesty

- Knowledge of Safety Precautions

- Punctual

- Well Trained

- Sense of Danger

- Communication



It would be an honor to serve and protect your Loved ones, Employees, Assets and Property.

Call or Whatsapp - 065 209 3713

02/11/2022

South Africa’s fourth essential utility — private security
Jan Vermeulen2 November 2022
South Africa’s fourth essential utility — private security
Just as Internet access is rapidly becoming a third essential utility for South African homes after water and electricity, a fourth has emerged — private security.

Vumacam has released the results of a survey conducted with Fletcher Advisory to gauge people’s perceptions and awareness of having CCTV installed around their neighbourhoods.

The survey also asked respondents to rank the importance of goods, services, and activities they spend money on.

Internet access took the top two spots, followed closely by home security and being able to enjoy outdoor activities.

Overall, safety, Internet and defence against load-shedding ranked higher than entertainment like dining out or having coffee with friends.

It is no surprise that South Africans rank home security’s importance similarly to essential utilities.

“South Africa is plagued by some of the highest levels of crime worldwide,” said Vumacam CEO Ricky Croock.

“Statistics show that our country has the third-highest crime rate in the world, expressed per 100,000 people.”

The Global Peace Index has South Africa ranked as the tenth most unsafe place in the world to live. This index also estimates that violent crime consumes up to 19% of the country’s GDP.

The Gallup Law and Order Index ranked South Africa the fifth most dangerous country out of the 144 countries covered.

“If one thing is clear, it is that crime robs South Africans of lives, livelihoods and confidence in our country’s future,” said Croock.

Vumacam and Fletcher Advisory survey results on South Africans’ financial priorities
In August, the South African Police Service (SAPS) presented the country’s quarterly crime statistics for the April to June 2022 period.

It showed that although contact crimes had decreased overall, crimes like hijacking, murder, theft, burglary, and robbery all saw increases.

South Africa recorded 6,424 murders, 39,638 residential burglaries, and 5,370 residential robberies during the period.

Sexual offences declined, but remained high at 11,855 recorded cases during the quarter.

The researchers also asked respondents about their experience of crime, and they all indicated that they had been impacted by crime in some way at some point in their life.

Although the survey focused mainly on how crime had impacted respondents while in public, a high percentage indicated that crime had knock-on effects on other areas of their lives.

68% said they had experienced damage to their home, 58% said there had been damage to their vehicles, 45% said shops they most often visited were impacted by crime, and 28% said their office and workspaces had been hit.

“As daunting as these figures are, South Africa’s positive attributes are abundant,” Croock said.

“For those of us who call this home, the need to tackle crime and live, work, and enjoy in a safe country is pivotal. We cannot do this without taking critical, urgent steps to tackle crime.”

Ricky Croock, Vumacam CEO
It should be noted that the survey results are skewed towards male South Africans and heavily biased towards those who are employed and own properties in Gauteng.

There were 1,201 respondents who completed the survey by 5 October 2022, giving a confidence level of 89% and a 4% margin of error.

Respondents came from geographical regions in Gauteng that spanned urban, peri-urban, suburbs, townships, and semi-rural or agricultural areas.

This included Fourways to Soweto, Pretoria, Germiston, Benoni, Bedfordview, Alexandra, Mnandi, Diepsloot, Sandton, Orange Grove and Sydenham.

Most respondents were from Pretoria, and Parkhurst, Orange Grove, Linksfield, Bryanston and Alexandra in Johannesburg.

56% were male, 73% were employed, 70% owned their property, and 75% lived in freehold houses, while 22% were in complexes, estates, or apartments.

The results are therefore not indicative of the average perception of all South Africans, but of those who are employed and own homes outside of security estates.

“We are encouraged that the research shows high levels of confidence in a collaborative, coordinated approach to combatting this immense threat to our democracy,” Croock stated.

“Those already using our technology and benefiting from it, and those yet to be protected by it, have shown their willingness to both participate in, and contribute to, SafeCity initiatives.”

30/10/2022

Good day

Benefits of DTE Protection Security Guards:

- Site and Office security patrol.

- Job site or Gate access control for visitors and vehicles.

- Managing Security Protocols.

- Equipment movement/watch logs.

- 24-Hour Guard Services.

- Save from professional burglars.



Reasons for using DTE Protection Security Guards:

- Alertness

- Physical Fitness

- Honesty

- Knowledge of Safety Precautions

- Punctual

- Well Trained

- Sense of Danger

- Communication



It would be an honor to serve and protect your Loved ones, Employees, Assets and Property.

22/09/2022

Net geluk sê aan Franswa Grundling. Sopas 2 x kabel diewe gevang.

29/08/2022

Self defense techniques

14/06/2022

What happens if you shoot an intruder with a firearm?

You hear what sounds like a door breaking and not a sound from the dogs that you thought would warn you of possible intruders. You hear male voices whispering from what sounds like your 4-year-old daughters’ room and immediately think of the worst. You know that the attack on your family is imminent. And that there is no way police, security or even a neighbourhood watch could intervene whilst these thugs are already inside your house. You are your first and last line of defence. You are lawfully armed and you shoot one of 3 armed intruders. Two intruders have fled on foot, while the other is fatally wounded.

What should you expect if you shoot and kill an intruder inside your house? The introduction above simply sets a typical scene that thousands of South African citizens have been exposed to over the years and that many more are likely to be exposed to in coming years. It is important to not only understand what you can do to prevent such an attack on you and your family, but also what happens after you have stepped in, as a lawfully armed citizen, and eliminated the threat.

Make sure that the scene is clear of any other threats. In a scenario like the one sketched above, clear the house, make sure your family is safe, and that no one was seriously injured.It’s important that you do not leave the scene where the incident occurred. As alluded to in the first point, you should make sure your family is safe, but also, once you have cleared the house (with reference to the above scenario), not only is it safer for you, not to continue trying to locate the other suspects on your own, but it is also safer for your family.As soon as you are able to call, you must inform the police of the incident. If you are a member of Fi****ms Guardian, call the emergency number for legal process support, should it be needed. Also try and inform your local community safety structures, private security companies and an ambulance, especially to check for injuries and assist with treatment of possible shock. It is important to take note that your call to the police, if you called 10111, is recorded.You do not need to make any statements immediately after the incident. Unfortunately, it has happened in the past that police members told victims that a statement had to be made, which was not the case. At that stage, you would not necessarily be in the right calm state of mind to make an accurate statement with all the relevant details.If you are not a member of Fi****ms Guardian, you can call your attorney if you would like to be guided on what to expect in the further proceedings.Try and cordon off the scene if at all possible. Make sure that on arrival of any emergency personnel, including private security, that no one tramples the scene, possibly destroying vital evidence. The police in South Africa don’t always arrive on scene first and so it is crucial for the scene to be preserved until police do arrive on the scene.You can take photos of the crime scene if you should feel it is needed for future reference and investigation, just make sure you don’t send them around or post them on social media platforms. If you do take the said photos, make sure you don’t end up trampling the crime scene.If anything did change on the scene between the incident and when police arrive, make sure you disclose that. For example, the suspect had a firearm in his hand and you kicked it out of his hand for safety purposes. Do not lie or try and manipulate anything on the crime scene. You acted in private defence and you are allowed, according to legislation in South Africa, to protect yourself and your family, or any other life under imminent threat with a firearm.Make sure that your firearm is holstered once the scene has been safeguarded, especially when police or other armed security personnel arrive. This is important as we do not want them to mistake you for an armed suspect. Make sure that you do not alter the firearm and ammunition left in the magazine or chamber in the firearm in any way after the incident. This would also include not cleaning or unloading the firearm. Leave the firearm as it is and holster it, we don’t want any unnecessary suspicion drawn to you. If the police on the scene do ask you for the firearm that you used, for investigation purposes, safely hand it over or show them where it is for them to possibly examine, bag and seal it for further investigation. The police will likely ask you whether you have a licence for the said firearm, please answer them honestly.The detective on duty and SAPS Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) on scene, might ask you for a written statement. As said earlier, you do not need to write the statement right there and then. Within the coming few days, take time to recollect yourself and do the statement then. It is important that you consider getting some advice or support from Fi****ms Guardian, or, if you are not a member, from your attorney, before making the statement. It is always best to make one very accurate and relevant statement than to add several short statements throughout the process that may cause confusion or even contradict each other.The firearm that was used in the incident will probably be seized as evidence, ballistic and other forensic testing. The same will happen with spent cartridges that were found on the scene. Obviously, the scene would be photographed by the police, before anything is picked up and taken as evidence exhibits. Once the firearm is seized, it will be booked in as an exhibit at the police station.Once the above is complete, SAPS will take residue tests from your hands and body. They will most probably request you to hand in your clothing as evidence as well. The SAPS will request a copy of your firearm competency certificate and your firearm licence. Apart from the cases (i.e. House robbery, trespassing) opened by the complainant, in this case that would be you, the SAPS will likely also open a murder and/or attempted murder case. The SAPS should although only open an inquest docket if they suspect that you acted lawfully. Sadly, very few police members are aware of this being the actual correct procedure. It is something that you should insist on. You will likely be charged and given a court date while the SAPS concludes the investigation if a criminal docket is opened. The criminal docket will be evaluated by the Senior State Prosecutor who will determine whether you acted lawfully or unlawfully. If lawful, the docket will be scrapped from the court roll/withdrawn, if unlawful, the case will go on trial.An inquest is a judicial enquiry into the incident and only thereafter prosecution might ensue if the inquests suspects criminality. It is a far less stressful process.

Lawfully armed citizens that are well trained with their fi****ms, are an asset to your community’s safety.

I would like to give special credit to Sgt. Clark from Westville SAPS, who’s piece from some years ago provided me with great additional practical tips with regards to the topic.

by Ian Cameron

07/06/2022

Dringende aanval maatreëls

Hierdie wenke hou verband met wanneer ‘n aanval dreig, maar die meerderheid kan en moet ook daagliks en permanent toegepas word op plase sowel as ook in die dorp of plotte.

• Inwoners moet spesiale maatreëls tref as ‘n plaasaanval dreig. Doen n evaluasie en tree daarvolgens op.
• Moenie dat jou werkers hiervan weet nie!!! Vermy slaapkamers met buitevensters in hierdie tyd.
• Maak seker alle vensters, deure en hekke is gesluit en alarm is aan (ook elektriese heinings). Beveilig ook jou huis met versterkte binne-hekke en deure, veral waar jy slaap/skuil.
• Moet geen brandstof binne bereik in buitegeboue stoor nie, tensy dit goed toegesluit is. Koppel ‘n tuinslang aan ‘n binnekraan en hou brandblussers reg om vuur te kan blus in die huis. Dis vir as hulle jou huis aan die brand steek om jou uit te kry.
• Maak altyd seker dat alle selfone in die huis vol gelaai is en genoeg lugtyd het. Maak seker dat jy ALLE noodnommers en bure se nommers op ALLE selfone het. Alle 2-rigting radios se batterye moet ook vol gelaai wees.
• Koppel ‘n paar buiteligte aan ‘n groot 12-volt trekker battery vir noodgeval, sou die krag afgaan. Sorg dat jou alarm battery deur die nag kan hou in noodgeval. Koppel ook ‘n baie harde sirene, asook “strobe” lig (flitsende noodlig) of twee hieraan.
• Moet vir GEEN REDE uit jou huis uitgelok word nie!!! Moenie uitgaan na “krag-box” om te kyk wat aangaan as jou krag af gaan nie – kry eers hulp van buite.
• Selfde reel geld as jy water hoor loop in tuin of as iemand “om hulp roep”.
• Moet GEEN vreemdes by plaashuis (of dorpshuis) toelaat nie (dag of nag). Hanteer die altyd as ‘n moontlike plaasaanval / roof as daar vreemdes per voertuig of voet aankom. Roep onmiddelik hulp van buite af in voordat hulle naby jou kom!!! (Reel hierdie dril met jou bure en help mekaar so).
• Moenie reageer op “hulproepe” van jou werkers in die nag nie!!! Maak ‘n alternatiewe reeling met hulle – in mediese noodgeval byvoorbeeld kan hulle jou bel en jy kan ambulans reel, ens.
• Moet ook nie goedsmoeds vir die “polisie” oopmaak nie – kontak jou naaste polisiestasie en bevestig eers alle detail voor jy reageer. Roep dadelik hulp in as dit verdag voorkom.
• Volwasse inwoners moet om die b***t slaap om wag te staan indien nodig.
• Moenie helder ligte binne die huis brand nie. Maak seker dat gordyne goed toegetrek is.
• Vervang badkamerdeur (of ander veilige vertrek) met n sterk staaldeur, koëlvas met ordentlike skuifslotte binne – vir klein kinders en oumense om in te skuil indien nodig. Versterk ook die vensters (“intruder-proof” glas) en diefwering hier.
• Al het vensters diefwering, sit aan die buitekant “expanded metal” sif diefwering op – dit bemoeilik petrolbom aanval (om die mense uit die huis te kry). Hou een of twee nooduitgange waardeur julle kan ontsnap indien nodig.
• Moet nie in die aand rond ry nie, neem geduurig fotos met selfoon van enige lewe op die pad in die omgewing. Hou altyd ‘n pen en notaboek byderhand vir inligting soos registrasienommers en voetganger beskrywings (deel gereeld hierdie info met jou bure).
• Kyk vir “tekens” by hekke, heinings en paaie!!! Kyk daagliks vir vreemde voertuig- en voedspore.
• Verander daagliks jou ry of loop roetienes vanaf jou perseel, want dit maak die wat jou dop hou wys van jou roetienes.
• Patrolleer veral buite-paaie daagliks en “vee” met n tak of ketting of sake agter jou voertuig. “Vee” veral as julle almal die plaas verlaat agter jou op pad hoofpad toe – dan kan jy sien wat aangaan as jy terugkeer.
• As almal uit was en julle die postal nader, kyk vir iets wat nie daar was toe jy gery het nie – voertuigspore, voetspore, sigaretpakkies, stompies, takkies, gras, urineer plekke, ens.
• Kyk of jou honde jou kom verwelkom en kyk na hulle gedrag – waai hulle sterte – is hulle bang – is hulle nie daar nie. As jy enige onraad vermoed – maak n U-draai en kry spoed en kry hulp in!!!
• As alles veilig lyk en jy ry erf binne, as jou alarm aan is, bly in voertuig en toets eers “remote” of alarm dalk ge-“trigger” was voordat jy parkeer en uit voertuig uitklim.. Hou jou opsies oop te alle tye.
• As alles veilig lyk en jy nader die huis te voet, hou jou vuurwapen(s) gereed!!! Kyk steeds vir “iets verdags” en moedig jou honde aan om te snuffel. Kyk of daar niemand in moontlike skuilplekke is nie.
• Met die oopsluit – as jy n alarm het behoort dit veilig te wees, maar laat in elk geval jou honde eers deur die huis gaan voordat jy ingaan.
• Bel jou bure, plotwag of plaaswag as jy iets vreemds gewaar, al is dit net oor n deurloper of vee wat bondel of honde wat onrustig is.
• Vergewis jou met jou bure se bewegings en verwittig hulle van jou doen en late. Jou beste hulp bly reg langs jou!!! (2-Rigting radios is eintlik absoluut noodsaaklik hier).
• Raak van alle oortollige los eiendom ontslae wat “begeerlike trekpleisters” kan wees. Vermy dit om produkte op die plaas te verkoop. Vekoop jou vee eerder direk aan koper / slagpale / vendusies, ens.
• Laat slaap klein hondjies, maar ook n groot hond of twee in die huis as jy n aanval verwag. Hou ook ganse buite aan om die buitehonde te help alarm maak – ganse is nie baie goeie wagte nie, want hulle is geneig om baie te raas, maar dis wel n goeie afskrikmiddel.
• Die kombinasie van infrarooi-alarmstrale, buite alarm sensors, elektriese heining (gekoppel aan alarm), honde en ganse is natuurlik die heel beste.
• As jou buite honde in die nag blaf – gaan stel volgende dag ondersoek in, in die rigting waarin hulle geblaf het. Kyk vir spore, sit plekke, vuurhoutjies, sigaretstompies, urineer plekke, enige versteurings aan jou lyndrade, ens. (Gaan kyk elke keer – dit sal later n patroon begin volg om jou te waarsku!!!)
• As jy wel sulke “tekens” of sitplekke optel, gaan sit daar en kyk terug na jou huis. Heel moontlik gaan jy n swak plek sien in jou beveiliging. Dalk n oorklim plek in/by jou elektriese heining, n donker kol om jou huis, ens.
• Kyk deeglik en stap ook in n reguit lyn terug na jou huis toe. Let veral op vir “Afrika tekens” op daardie lyn. Dalk n klip in n boom se mik, n tou of garing of sakkie of lap op jou heining, ens. As jy so iets sien kry dadelik kundiges se hulp in en wees paraat.
• Slaapvretrekke se lig moet uit wees, slegs n bedlampie moet kan aan gesit word (haal die gloeilamp uit). Sorg dat jy n ordentlike flits het, maar SLEGS IN N NOODGEVAL, as jy buite moet lig, hou dit met n langarm weg (sywaarts) van jou lyf af en hou jou liggaam agter n muur. Moenie te gou jou posisie met n flits verraai nie. Moet ook nie deur die gordyn loer as jy iets buite hoor, skuif net n skreufie oop en loer met een oog, met die binne lig nog af.
• As jy kan, te alle tye, sit eerder buiteligte aan en VERMY die flits-ding. Moenie oorhaastig beweeg nie, staan eers lank in die donker stil en wees geduldig. Hou ALTYD n muur tussen jou en moontlike aanvallers. Solank jy binne die huis agter mure is het jy die voordeel – gebruik dit!!!
• Leef en slaap met jou vuurwapen(s) byderhand. Maak seker jy is nog vertroud met jou wapen(s) (indien jy het) en het genoeg magasyne en ammunisie, doen gereeld n skietoefening. Laat die hele gesin met alle wapens skiet.
• Leer die kinders vooraf van n noodsitsuasie en beplan strategie. Elkeen moet presies weet wat van hom / haar verwag word. Wie bel vir wie, wie praat op die radio en wie skiet waar, as ook handtekens sonder om geluide te maak. Oefen dit gereeld en kyk waar julle kan verbeter!!!
• Doen self n denkbeeldige aanval op jou huis, en kyk wat moet jy wegvat of uitkap, wat as wegkruip-kanse gebruik kan word of waar-agter geskuil kan word. Hou die gras en bosse skoon rondom die plaasopstel en alle paaie en hekke. Verwyder alle wegkruipplekke en hinderlae moontlik.
• Vervang waar moontlik gewone hekke met motorhekke. Baie aanvalle vind plaas wanneer mens moet stop om n hek oop of toe te maak. Moet ook nie uit jou voertuig klim as iets onverdags lyk, ry eerder weg en kom later terug saam met hulp, as wat jy daar staan en wag en jouself oop maak vir n moonlike aanval. Moet ook nie na n hek toe gaan as enige persone jou roep, bel eerder vir bystand, want dit kan n moontlike uitlokking wees om jou uit jou huis te kry.
• Kry die hulp van spesialiste in as jy twyfel oor iets. Mens kan nie alles weet nie en daar is altyd plek vir verbetering. Kundiges kyk met ander oë na jou huis, heining, alarm, ens.
• Hulle kan aanbevelings maak waaraan jy dalk nooit eers gedink het nie. Onthou ons praat hier van jou en jou geliefdes se lewens!!!
• Maak seker jy het noodhulpkassies in die huis en waar hulle gelee is, verkieslik meer as een op verskillende plekke.
• Wees ook oplettend vir snaakse geluide soos mense wat fluit vir mekaar, geskreeu, ens, dit is alles moontlike tekens of waarskuwings van mense wat n aanval loots. MOET NIE UIT JOU HUIS GAAN OM ONDERSOEK IN TE STEL NIE.
• Maak seker waar al jou nodige sleutels, wapens, flitse, fone, peperspray of “doom” (wat ook as teen aanval middel gebruik kan word indien jy nie peperspray het nie) veral as jou krag af is en jy moet dit in die donker vind. Met ander woorde wees bekend met jou omgewing in die donker.
• Sterkte en wees gelowig, wakker, voorbereid en veilig.