Two kidnapped men rescued in Heidelberg, one kidnapper arrested

Jahyr Abdula and his friend were kidnapped on 15 October 2021. Photo: Facebook

Two kidnapped men in JHB rescued in Heidelberg, one kidnapper arrested

Police said two men who were kidnapped in Johannesburg on 15 October 2021 were rescued in Heidelberg, where they were held captive.

Two kidnapped men rescued in Heidelberg, one kidnapper arrested

Jahyr Abdula and his friend were kidnapped on 15 October 2021. Photo: Facebook

The two men who were kidnapped in Johannesburg on 15 October were rescued and reunited with their families.

THE MEN WERE PULLED OVER IN JHB AND TAKEN CAPTIVE

Police spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe said Jahyr Abdula and his friend were kidnapped on 15 October 2021.

“The pair had just entered Johannesburg from Mozambique in a three-vehicle motorcade when they were pulled over by their captors who were driving a blue BMW sedan fitted with blue lights and sirens. The pair were taken from their motorcade and held captive,” Mathe said.

Mathe said the friend was rescued by various officials from law enforcement agencies and private security companies on the same day.

“During this operation, one suspect was apprehended and is still in police custody,” she said.

THE SEARCH FOR ABDULA ENDED ON FRIDAY IN HEIDELBERG

According to Mathe, the search for Abdula continued but ended on Friday, 26 November 2021.

“A multidisciplinary team consisting of members of the SAPS Crime Intelligence, the DPCI, Special Task Force (STF), SAPS Airwing, SAPS JHB flying squad, and security companies successfully pounced on an identified address and rescued the traumatized and malnutrition victim.,” she said.

Mathe said a manhunt is still underway to arrest the remaining kidnappers.

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The National Commissioner has recently sanctioned a new intervention to address kidnappings and has hailed the team’s persistent efforts, through this intervention, in rescuing the kidnapped victim who had been in captivity for 37 days.

“We applaud all involved for the safe return of Abdula and his friend. We are intensifying efforts to arrest the remaining suspects. We will leave no stone unturned up until we have all suspects in police custody,” said General Sitole.

FAMILY OF ABDULA RELIEVED AND THANKFUL

The parents of Jahyr Abdula, Salimo, and Maria Abdula have thanked all involved for rescuing their son.

“We thank almighty Allah for accepting our prayers. We wish to express our sincere gratitude to the South African Police Service, all private security companies that were involved, the Mozambiquan government. Our family is thankful that justice is taking its course. We are looking forward to healing and will appreciate some privacy,” said Salimo and Maria Abdula.

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Members of the public are advised to contact the Crime Stop Hotline number on 0860010111 and/or download the MySAPS App to share any information that may lead to the arrest of the remaining captors.

“All information will be treated with the strictest confidence, and informers may remain anonymous,” Mathe said.