Police rescued a 55-year-old Pakistani businessman and arrested four kidnappers, two South Africans and two Pakistani nationals, in different locations in Gauteng on Thursday, 13 March following an intelligence-led operation.
The team also seized an illegal firearm and a vehicle during this operation. According to a preliminary report, the victim was kidnapped in Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape earlier last month by an unknown group of individuals who introduced themselves to the victim as immigration officials.
The victim allegedly accompanied these individuals to the nearest police station, but never returned home.The victim’s family subsequently reported the kidnapping to the police after the kidnappers had allegedly demanded a ransom for the release of the victim.
Intelligence led a multi-disciplinary team comprising members from National Crime Intelligence, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Eastern Cape (DPCI – HAWKS), DPCI TOMS, Soweto Flying Squad and private security to arrest a kidnapper in Killarney; an unlicensed firearm was also seized. This suspect led the team to the location of the victim in Evaton where two more kidnappers were arrested.
Further investigation resulted in the arrest of a fourth kidnapper in Benoni. A vehicle which was used in the commission of the crime was also seized.The four suspects are expected to appear before a Magistrates’ court soon, while further investigations continue.
