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South Africa: Alleged kingpin behind kidnappings for ransom in Gauteng, Mozambique arrested
5:01 CAT | 27 Feb 2022
Image: SAPS
- South Africa’s Crime Intelligence National Anti-Kidnapping Task team pounced on the alleged kingpin and his three associates in Brockenhurst, Johannesburg and also seized three high-powered vehicles, 6000 tablets of mandrax, cash and luxury brand clothing.
A 37-year-old man believed to be the alleged kingpin behind a spate of kidnappings for ransom in Gauteng as well as Maputo in Mozambique has been arrested.
The Crime Intelligence National Anti-Kidnapping Task team pounced on the alleged kingpin and his three associates in Brockenhurst, Johannesburg.
Officers also seized three high-powered vehicles, 6000 tablets of mandrax, cash and luxury brand clothing all believed to have been acquired through money received from ransom payments.
On Thursday, the team arrested another member of the syndicate in Benoni.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says the management of the SAPS is confident that the task team is closing in on syndicates responsible for kidnappings for ransom.
“The team is following up on intelligence-driven information on other high profile kidnapping cases where ransom demands have been made. The management of the SAPS is confident that the task team is closing in on several syndicates responsible for kidnapping for ransom.”
- Read the full statement issued by The South African Police Service (SAPS) below:
2022/02/26
Media Statement
South African Police Service
Pretoria – The Management of the South African Police Service (SAPS) has lauded the persistent efforts of the Crime Intelligence National Anti-Kidnapping Task Team following the arrest of a 37-year-old man believed to be the mastermind and alleged kingpin behind a spate of high profile kidnappings where a ransom was demanded in various parts of Gauteng as well as in Maputo, Mozambique.
On Wednesday afternoon, an intelligence driven operation led the Task Team to an identified address in Brackenhurst where the team pounced on the alleged kingpin and his three associates.
At this address, police found and seized three high powered vehicles, 6 000 tablets of Mandrax, hard cash, a receipt of sale for a R1,9 million property in Bryanston, several high end luxury brand clothing, all of which police believe were acquired through money received from ransom cash payments. All four were arrested and are currently in police custody.
On Thursday, the team continued with the tracing of another suspect who is part of this syndicate. The team kept an observation at an identified address in Benoni and moved in to arrest the suspect. Another high performance vehicle was seized and the suspect was apprehended and is currently in police custody.
The mastermind and his associates are accused of kidnapping and demanding a ransom in a number of high profile cases which include the following:
Mr Jahyr Abdullah, a Mozambican national 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.
His friend was rescued on the same day by various officials from law enforcement agencies and private security companies. Mr Abdula was rescued a month later at an identified address on Friday, 26 November 2021 by the Task Team.
Read: Mozambique: Son of president of the CPLP Business Confederation kidnapped in South Africa – Lusa
Read: Mozambique: Son of the president of the CPLP Business Confederation rescued
Another case is that of Mr Yasin Bhiku, an Indian national who was kidnapped in the driveway of his home in Lenasia. This incident took place on 11 January 2021, when Mr Bhiku was returning home at 05:00 from morning prayer. Hot on the heels of his captors, Mr Bhikhu was released and found unharmed by the Task Team.
The team is currently following intelligence driven information on other active high profile kidnapping cases where ransom demands have been made.
Although not related to this syndicate, the same team were also responsible for rescuing the 11-year-old girl who was kidnapped outside her school gate in Mayfair, last year. The little girl was later rescued in an informal settlement near Soweto.
The Crime Intelligence National Anti-Kidnapping Task Team was established on the 18th November 2021 following a spike in kidnapping cases where a ransom was demanded.
Since its inception, the team has been hard at work, tracking and tracing wanted suspects and syndicates involved in several cases in the country where demands were made for the safe return of victims.
The Management of the SAPS is confident that the Task Team is closing in on several syndicates responsible for Kidnapping for ransom cases.
#sapsHQ On Wednesday afternoon, an intell driven op led the Task Team to an identified address in Brackenhurst where the team pounced on the alleged kingpin and his 3 associates. All four were arrested and are currently in police custody. ME pic.twitter.com/meWONynKpK
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) February 26, 2022
#sapsHQ On 24/02, the team continued with the tracing of another suspect who is part of this syndicate. The team kept observation at an identified address in Benoni and moved in to arrest the suspect. Another high performance vehicle was seized and the suspect was apprehended ME pic.twitter.com/Bd9yPbegGe
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) February 26, 2022
#sapsHQ#SAPS Crime Intelligence National Anti-Kidnapping Task Team arrested a 37yr-old man believed to be the mastermind and alleged kingpin behind a spate of high profile kidnappings where a ransom was demanded MEhttps://t.co/Ff2sYFf7u7pic.twitter.com/50JLLYTIcG
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) February 26, 2022
Read: South Africa: Four gunmen kidnap Mozambican national in Kensington, Bedfordview – Yussuf Abramjee
An alleged kidnapping kingpin and his three accomplices will appear in a JHB court tomorrow after being arrested this weekend. The gang is linked to three cases, and possibly more. The suspected kingpin is a 37-year-old man. 6000 Mandrax tablets, luxury vehicles and cash seized. pic.twitter.com/5gvH93ONT3
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) February 27, 2022
Source: SABC News / SAPS
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