Kidnapping usually ends well

29 June 2016 - 09:12 By GRAEME HOSKEN and AZIZZAR MOSUPI

Kidnapping is a problem in parts of Africa but most cases have a happy ending.This is according to Rory Steyn, director of Nicholls-Steyn and Associates, a VIP protection firm."About 95% of the time things don't go wrong," Steyn said.He was speaking after recent reports that seven people - a South African, three Australians, two Nigerians and a New Zealander - were kidnapped in Nigeria last week.The hostages have been released and the 35-year-old South African, whom New Zealand media reports have named as Wayne Smith, was expected home yesterday.Department of International Relations and Co-operation spokesman Nelson Kgwete said he was unharmed and a ransom had not been paid.Reports by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, however, suggest a ransom could have been paid by Macmahon, the Australian mining company that employed the hostages.ABC reported: "Macmahon has refused to confirm or deny that a ransom was paid to secure the release of the men."Steyn said: "Those targeted by kidnappers are almost always high net-worth people."Asked how protection methods differed , Steyn said it depended on the country's situation and threat assessment.In countries such as Libya and Somalia, protection teams were heavily armed...

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