Three kidnapping suspects have been arrested and a Pakistani business rescued in Lawley, Gauteng. It's alleged that the suspects, a South African and two Mozambican nationals, murdered a Pakistani businessman and kidnapped his business partner last month.

MURDER AND KIDNAPPING

Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Amanda Van Wyk said SAPS' Organised Crime led by Intelligence has been working since 27 August. "The case emanates from a business robbery where two business partners were attacked at their hardware store in Ennerdale. One was killed at the scene and another kidnapped for ransom," Van Wyk said. She added that the kidnappers had demanded large sums of money for the victim's release from his family.

RESCUED

The victim was rescued in Lawley and reunited with his family while the suspects were arrested at various places in Gauteng. "Two suspects are in policing holding cells while one is under police guard in the hospital. The suspect sustained a gunshot wound after trying to disarm a police officer during his arrest," Van Wyk said. The suspects are facing charges of murder, kidnapping and attempted murder.

KIDNAPPING FOR RANSOM ON THE RISE

In April, Statistics SA reported that the total number of kidnapping cases in South Africa reached 15,343, with Gauteng leading with 7,818 cases, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 3,081 cases of kidnapping in the 2022/2023 financial year. Over a week ago, during the release of the quarterly crime statistics, police Minister Senzo Mchunu said that 135 kidnappings for ransom were recorded in the last quarter. "Kidnappings and extortion cases: 135 cases of kidnapping for ransom were recorded in the first quarter, with Gauteng and KZN accounting for 81 and 15 cases, respectively," the Minister said.