Following a spate of kidnappings targeting businessmen, the police managed to rescue another businessman who was kidnapped on 5 July 2024 at a mosque in Helderkruin, Roodepoort. The businessman (63) was rescued at a house in Lenasia yesterday.

The SAPS anti-kidnapping task team has rescued a 63 yr old businessman from a kidnapping syndicate. During the rescue operation, R300 million worth of drugs was discovered in Fourways, JHB. Six suspects have been arrested including three Tanzanian nationals and a German lady . pic.twitter.com/rBaXt86vhr

— Athlenda Mathe (@AthlendaM) July 31, 2024

KIDNAPPERS NABBED

SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said following the rescue mission, eight kidnappers, including three Tanzanian nationals and a German woman were arrested in Johannesburg. "The SAPS anti-kidnapping task team has been working on the case and arrested the first two suspects last week, and on Wednesday, intelligence led a multidisciplinary team to a hotel in Eastgate and two other apartments in Fourways where they arrested six suspects and seized drugs suspected to be crystal meth worth R300 million," said Mathe.

A GOOD JOB

The National Commissioner of Police, General Fannie Masemola, visited the crime scene and commended the hard-working teams. "Well done to the team. Our men and women in blue remain hard at work in taking down syndicates involved in dealing and the trafficking of drugs. Commendable progress has been registered in recent weeks and we owe those successes to our dedicated police officers and our partners in crime, including private security. We will continue to come after those who are involved in the illicit trade of drug trafficking," said General Masemola. Last month, two Portuguese butchery owners were rescued from their kidnappers in different places in Soweto. In both cases, no ransom was paid for their release and suspects were arrested. According to Mathe, 12 businessmen and six students who had been kidnapped for ransom were rescued in the last six months with no ransom payment made as a direct result of the expertise and capabilities of SAPS detectives, the crime intelligence unit and collaboration with private security. "From January 2024 to date, 49 kidnappers who had demanded ransom payment from the families of victims have been arrested in Gauteng, North West, and the Free State, and 21 vehicles used in the commission of these crimes have been confiscated and eight firearms have also been seized," Mathe said.