Speaking at the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium in Cape Town last week, South Africa’s Minister of Defence, Lindiwe Sisulu, said that the number of people taken hostage for ransom by pirates had increased fivefold from 186 in 2006 to 1 016 in 2010. With 90% of trade destined for Africa transported by sea one can understand how tangible and vulnerable the Indian Ocean is off the East and Southern African Coast. “The situation as grave,” Sisulu said.

Regional military officials warned that piracy had spread southwards. The fact that piracy activities seem to be targeting trade routes in Eastern and Southern Africa was in fact one of the biggest concerns of the symposium. Reports reveal that pirates have recently moved to find new targets such as ships anchored off ports waiting for a berth and are employing new tactics in their attacks, such as using half a dozen or more speedboats in an attack.

Tanzania had reported 57 attacks by pirates in its territorial waters between February 2011 and February 2012. This confirms that pirates have moved southwards. The naval heads and representatives of 89 countries gathered in Cape Town to discuss ways to eliminate the scourge of piracy.

However, the problem is that piracy has become a lucrative business. In 2010 pirates were paid over R1.56 billion in ransom and R1.17 billion the year before. As a general rule, half the ransom paid is taken by the financiers, pirate gang leaders and the ransom negotiators who deal with the shipping companies. About a quarter of the money goes to the crew that took the ship, with a bonus for whoever got on board first. The pirates who guard the ship and look after the crew gets 10% and about 10% goes to local clans and warlords, as protection money, or bribes. Good money and more that most Somalis earn in an entire lifetime.