Another Portuguese businessman who was kidnapped for ransom has been rescued. The businessman who owns Watloo butchery in Joburg was rescued at the Nancefield hostel in Soweto last night in an intelligence-driven operation led by the SAPS special task force unit.

The SAPS elite Special Task Force unit have led an operation where another kidnapped Portuguese businessman was found alive& rescued from his captors in Nancefield Hostel, Soweto.The owner of Watloo butchery was kidnapped last week for ransom. No ransom paid. 5 SUSPECTS ARRESTED pic.twitter.com/W5Ix7YsXPe

— Athlenda Mathe (@AthlendaM) July 5, 2024

According to national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the butchery owner was kidnapped last week in South Gate. Mathe said the man was kidnapped for ransom payment, but no payment was made. "As soon as the matter was brought to the attention of the SAPS, a team was assembled, and the team worked around the clock to find the victim alive," she said, adding that a takedown operation was executed yesterday afternoon where two suspects who are believed to be the drivers of the getaway vehicles were arrested. Mathe said at about 10 pm, a team went to the Nancefield Hostel in Soweto, where the businessman was found tied up and guarded. "One other suspect was arrested at the hostel, and further information led the team to a house in White City, Soweto, where two other suspects were found. The victim's bank cards and wallet were found in their possession," she said.

SAPS special task force unit rescued the businessman at a hostel

On Monday, the police rescued another Portuguese businessman who owns a butchery in Florida, West Rand. The 49-year-old man was kidnapped outside his business premises last week Monday. He was rescued by the police at a house in Snake Park, Soweto, where he was kept captive. The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, has applauded the police for always ensuring a well-coordinated and executed takedown operation that will ensure victims' lives are not compromised and are found alive. "Our dedicated teams remain relentless in their pursuit to ensure they rescue victims. From January to date, 13 businessmen and at least six students were rescued without a ransom payment being made. This is a result of the expertise and capabilities of our teams. In the past two years, more than 200 kidnappers have been arrested, all thanks to the commitment of our dedicated teams," said Masemola. According to Masemola, in the last six months, more than 54 kidnappers operating in Gauteng, the North West, Mpumalanga, and the Free State have been arrested.