A notorious criminal who was being sought for different crimes has been shot dead by police. The wanted criminal was out on bail for vehicle theft and car hijacking when he was killed by the SAPS anti-kidnapping task team on the N12 between Kliprivier and Xavier off-ramp in Johannesburg on Tuesday night.

KIDNAPPINGS FOR RANSOM

This criminal, who has not been named, was found to be linked to at least 29 vehicle theft and car hijacking cases and was circulated as a wanted suspect. His accomplices on the kidnapping case of businessman Shamshudeen Faki are still being sought by police. SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said that the multidisciplinary team consisting of SAPS counter intelligence teams, visible policing, detectives and private security were tracing suspects linked to the kidnapping of a Benoni businessman, Mr Faki. "An undisclosed amount of ransom money worth millions was immediately demanded from the family. It's alleged the victim died in the custody of his kidnappers. The businessman's body was found dumped in Delpark, Johannesburg by a CPF patroller who immediately alerted police on Monday," she said.

SHOOTOUT WITH POLICE

Mathe said that the team followed up on information and traced this suspect to the N12 where a shootout ensued on Tuesday evening. "The suspect was found in possession of Mr Faki's identity documents, a blue light, licensed number plates used in the commission of the kidnapping, two firearms including a pistol and a revolver," she said. Mathe said that at least 250 suspects linked to kidnapping for ransom have been arrested in the last two years in South Africa.