Zambian national linked to kidnappings arrested at OR Tambo

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Zambian national linked to kidnappings arrested at OR Tambo

9:18 CAT | 20 Aug 2024

The man accused of being the kingpin of a kidnapping syndicate will appear in the Roodepoort Magistrates Court on 20 August 2024. [Picture: @AthlendaM/X]

An alleged kidnapping ringleader and suspect linked to a R300 million drug bust has been intercepted at OR Tambo International Airport.

The 40-year-old Zambian national was intercepted as he arrived in the country on Sunday morning.

“Police have been keeping a close watch on the suspect’s movement. The suspect is believed to be one of the ringleaders behind a kidnapping for ransom syndicate targeting businessmen in South Africa,” said the South African Police Service (SAPS) in a statement.

He is specifically linked to the kidnapping of a 63-year-old businessman who was kidnapped in Helderkruin, Roodepoort in July.

He was rescued on the same day that police made the discovery of R300 million worth of crystal meth at two properties in Fourways and a hotel in Bruma.

He is also believed to be a key figure in the R300 million crystal meth drugs that were seized.

Police have been tracking the suspect and upon arrival at the OR Tambo Airport, he was arrested by a multidisciplinary team led by SAPS anti-kidnapping task team, counter intelligence, detectives, the Johannesburg Metro Police Department K-9 unit, Flying Squad and private security.

The suspect is expected to be charged with eight other suspects who were arrested for the kidnapping of the businessman and the drug bust.

A 40-yr-old Zambian national was intercepted & arrested at the OR TAMBO International Airport as he landed. The suspect is linked to a kidnapping for ransom syndicate targeting businessmen & linked to the R300 million crystal meth drugs that were seized in Fourways 3 weeks ago pic.twitter.com/2NiUlgLd7B

— Athlenda Mathe (@AthlendaM) August 18, 2024