woman Limpopo

A 47-year-old woman’s body was found in her house after she was allegedly kidnapped. Photo: File.

Kidnapping ‘mastermind’ arrested in Gauteng

A man, 47, kidnapped in Hillbrow last week was rescued. Six suspects, including one linked to several kidnappings in the province, were arrested.

woman Limpopo

A 47-year-old woman’s body was found in her house after she was allegedly kidnapped. Photo: File.

A 47-year-old kidnapping victim was rescued from a house in Crystal Park, Benoni early on Monday morning, 22 November. He was allegedly hijacked and kidnapped in Hillbrow last week, according to the police. Six suspects were arrested in connection with the incident, which is part of a surge of kidnappings in Gauteng recently.

HILLBROW KIDNAPPING VICTIM RESCUED


South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Sello said the multidisciplinary team established to crack down on kidnapping syndicates in Gauteng played a role in the victim’s rescue.

Six men were arrested between Saturday, 20 November and Monday, 22 November for the 47-year-old’s alleged kidnapping.

“One of the suspects who is believed to be the mastermind of several kidnapping incidents in and around the province, is currently on bail for three other incidents of hijacking, kidnapping and extortion,” said Dimakatso.

“The province has been experiencing a surge in kidnapping incidents recently. Gauteng Organised Crime Investigations and Hillbrow Detectives teamed up with the National Task Team that investigates kidnappings for ransom in the search of the victim that was hijacked on 17 November 2021.”

STING OPERATION AND RESCUE

According to the police report, Crime Intelligence received a tip-off about the victim’s whereabouts and set up a sting operation.

The victim was rescued from a house in Crystal Park and had no visible injuries. A medical check-up at the hospital also gave him a clean bill of health and he has since been reunited with his family.

A single suspect was arrested on Saturday and two more were apprehended at different addresses in Daveyton between Sunday night and Monday morning. The remaining three were caught at the same location the suspect was being held.

“Hijacking and kidnappings are becoming a problem for Gauteng but now I am glad that with the measures that we put in place, supported by the National Head Office, we are starting to see positive results,” said Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant General Mawela.

READ: Moti brothers: Reports of R50m ransom emerge, Amnesty International asks for transparency