Police rescued a 55-year-old Pakistani businessman and arrested four kidnappers in different locations in Gauteng on Thursday, following an intelligence-led operation.
“According to a preliminary report, the victim was kidnapped in Graaff-Reinet, in the Eastern Cape, earlier last month, by an unknown group of individuals who introduced themselves to the victim as immigration officials,” the South African Police Service 9SAPS) said in a statement.
“The victim allegedly accompanied these individuals to the nearest police station, but never returned home,” the police said.
The victim’s family reported the kidnapping to the police after the kidnappers had allegedly demanded a ransom for the release of the victim.
A multi-disciplinary team comprising members from National Crime Intelligence, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in the Eastern Cape (DPCI – HAWKS), DPCI Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS), Soweto Flying Squad and private security arrested two South Africans and two Pakistani nationals.
One kidnapper was arrested in Killarney and an unlicensed firearm was seized during the arrest.
The team also seized a vehicle during the operation.
The 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 is believed to have been used in the commission of the crime was also seized.
The four suspects are expected to appear before a magistrate’s court soon, while further investigations continue.
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