Mozambican Woman Arrested For Staging Her Own Kidnapping

A 23-year-old Mozambican national has been arrested in Moroka, Soweto, for allegedly staging her own kidnapping in an attempt to extort a ransom from her family.

According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, the woman was reported kidnapped in Randburg on January 23, 2025, after which a ransom demand was made.

Details Of The Arrest

An intelligence-driven operation led by the SAPS Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Crime Intelligence, Gauteng Provincial Investigation Unit, Johannesburg Flying Squad, and Randburg Detectives, with support from private security companies, traced her to an identified address in Moroka.

Upon arrival, officers found both the “victim” and her alleged kidnapper, uncovering that the abduction had been staged. The duo was immediately arrested on charges of kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice.

Boy Rescued in Separate Kidnapping Case

Meanwhile, a nine-year-old boy from Laudium, Tshwane, was rescued last Friday after being held captive for four days. Gauteng police and private security companies arrested five suspects, including Pakistani and Afghan nationals, in connection with the kidnapping.

The suspects, identified as Maisa Hussain (24), Gulfam Azam (29), Yasir Mahmood (29), Bilawal Arif (30), and Faisal Khuoot (30), appeared at the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, the group faces charges of kidnapping, unlawful possession of an unlicensed firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and extortion. One of the suspects was reportedly known to the victim’s family.

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