The release of the Global Organised Crime Index 2023 is likely to show mafia-style criminal networks are on the increase in South Africa.

The index, which will be released on Tuesday by the Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC), is set to reveal the continuing rise of organised crime globally, with 83% of the world’s population living in conditions of high criminality.

The index ranks levels of criminality and resilience in 193 countries.

Specialised protection services company Dragon said the prevalence of criminal networks engaged in drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, carjacking, motor vehicle theft and other illicit activities has reached alarming levels, posing a significant threat to the safety and well-being of South African citizens.

Ahead of the release of the index, said the data would show response frameworks have failed to meet the organised crime threat.

Dragon, which has witnessed the detrimental impact of organised crime on society, is calling for government to take the index and organised crime seriously.

“Organised crime poses a significant threat to the safety, stability and prosperity of any nation. In recent South Africa has experienced a surge in the activities of organised criminal syndicates. Recently there has been a rise in kidnappings specifically targeting businessmen or their family members in exchange for exorbitant ransoms. The syndicates behind these kidnappings are highly organised,” said Trisha Parshotam, CEO Dragon Protection Services.