Kidnapping in South Africa

Kidnapping in South Africa is a common crime in the country, with over 4,100 in the 2013/2014 period, and a child going missing every five hours.

[4] In 2004 Benedict Cumberbatch and two friends were kidnapped by 6 armed men near St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal.

Benedict only spoke publicly about it in July 2009 at an interview for a book launched by the Prince's Trust and Starbucks.

[5] On 16 March 2015, 48-year-old Chen Lin, was kidnapped for ransom by four armed men in front of his Kokstad apartment gate.

At this time Mr Lin managed to free himself, and escape; a passing motorist picked him up and took him to hospital.