Gauteng Police Arrest 14 In Major Kidnapping Syndicate Bust

In a significant crackdown, Gauteng police have arrested 14 individuals alleged to be part of a kidnapping syndicate.

The arrests were made in connection with the kidnapping of a Zimbabwean businessman, who was rescued in Soweto. The operation was carried out by the anti-kidnapping task team, assisted by private security and multiple other police units.

The arrests took place on Monday in Greenstone Park and Sandton. Among the arrested individuals are five foreigners, including three Chinese nationals and two Mozambicans.

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Eight suspects were apprehended in Greenstone Park, while the remaining were arrested in Sandton. During the operation, police recovered speed point machines, cash allegedly drawn from victims’ bank accounts, and a firearm stolen during a house robbery in Linden.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe stated, “Police have in recent weeks been able to intercept a number of kidnappers linked to syndicates who kidnap businessmen and demand large sums of ransom.”

She urged communities to report suspicious activities to help combat these criminal activities.

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola added, “Our dedicated teams remain relentless in their pursuit to ensure they rescue victims. This is as a result of the expertise and capabilities of our teams.”

Monday’s arrests come less than two weeks after another businessman, a Portuguese national, was rescued in Soweto.

Seven Chinese nationals are due in court on 25 September, facing multiple charges, including human trafficking, kidnapping, and various contraventions of the immigration act. The matter was recently postponed as a witness was too afraid to testify.