A Portuguese businessman who had been missing for over a week was rescued by the police yesterday. The 49-year-old butchery owner was kidnapped from his business premises in Florida, West Rand, last week Monday.

RESCUED 

SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the SAPS anti-kidnapping task team, including other law enforcement agencies and private security, has been working around the clock to find the businessman, safe and unharmed. "On Monday evening, July 1, 2024, the team traced the victim to a home in Snake Park, Soweto, where he had been in captivity, "said Mathe.

A SYNDICATE

Mathe said that on the same evening, after the victim was rescued, the police also arrested one of his captors in Turfontein, Johannesburg. "The 39-year-old suspect is believed to belong to a syndicate that is responsible for at least four other kidnappings where businessmen were the target in the Johannesburg District. The team is currently tracing suspects who were working together with the man," she said.

RESCUE MISSION

Mathe said in the last six months, 12 businessmen and six students who had been kidnapped for ransom have been rescued. She said in cases where the businessmen and students had been rescued, no ransom payment was 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 8 firearms have also been seized," Mathe said. She added that the police will continue to take down more syndicates believed to be behind a spate of kidnappings for ransom across the country.