Elon Musk Beefs Up Security At Father's Residence In Western Cape Amid Kidnapping Fears

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has increased security at his father Errol's home in Western Cape, South Africa, amid concerns that he could be a target of kidnapping.

The hometown residence of the billionaire software entrepreneur already has a high-profile security setup with cutting-edge video surveillance cameras and electrified fencing due to several break-in attempts in the past.

Errol, who spoke to the US daily Sun, said, "the possibility of anything awful happening or even getting shot is extremely considerable." He also disclosed that his house had been broken into four times just last year alone. "Elon decided, after the recent threats against him, that I need protection as well," he added. "If they kidnap one of us, it will be the quickest $20 million anybody's ever made in their life."

Errol Musk, a 76-year-old retired engineer, said his son, Elon, increased security at their South African house due to worries about him being abducted by kidnappers.

Elon Musk has been facing ongoing pressure to ensure the security of his family. Some of the contractors came last month to Musk's home in Langebaan, some 90 miles north of Cape Town, to install surveillance equipment that could be watched from Musk's phone.

After publishing the Twitter Files, which revealed what Elon considers to be American government cooperation with the social media site to restrict information, he warned last month that he feared for his life. "It's not that hard to kill me if somebody wanted to, so hopefully they don't," Elon said, as per India Times.

This came weeks after the Twitter CEO deactivated an account that tracked his private jet and reporters who shared its tweets. He noted the account had "posted my exact real-time location, literally assassination coordinates." It further resulted in a "mad stalker" apparently following a car carrying his son in Los Angeles, Elon added.

Errol observed that he was becoming accustomed to living in the fortified house, which was stocked with security features due to the recent spike in crime in both Johannesburg and Pretoria. He also noted that his son is "a bit naive about the enemies he's making, especially with the Twitter Files," and that Elon spent an estimated $14.6 thousand more than the best security system placed in his home.

"I'm not afraid, but I'm really afraid that something will happen to Elon even though he is surrounded by about 100 bodyguards," he added, as per the Sun.