Abstract:
In South Africa, as of 2018, the alarming statistic of one child being abducted every five
hours highlights a pressing concern for the safety of school children. What compounds this
issue is the stark inadequacy of school security procedures in place to thwart potential
abductions. Criminal syndicates, notorious for their meticulous and thorough operations,
often exploit schools by infiltrating them under the guise of concerned parents.
Kidnappings and abductions cut across socioeconomic boundaries, impacting both the
underprivileged and affluent segments of society. The motives of these kidnappers
encompass physical violence, financial exploitation, and even the gravest outcome,
murder. In response to this disturbing trend, this research aims to highlight the existing
gaps in both the research and practical measures that can be taken to fortify school
security protocols, ultimately ensuring the safety of learners against kidnappings and
abductions.
