The South African Police Service (SAPS) has dismantled a kidnapping ring, with five arrests made. The five suspects include two South Africans, two Ugandan nationals and one Malawian.
SAPS crime intelligence and organised crime officers, assisted by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks), received information that a South African woman was planning for her employer to be kidnapped, and forced to withdraw large sums of money from her business bank account.
Thorough intelligence was conducted, and officers collaborated with the target, and a mock kidnapping was planned, the SAPS said in a statement, adding that it reserved the right to not share any specific details on how the operation was executed.
The SAPS confirmed that following the successful mock kidnapping, it took down the syndicate and arrested five suspects who were apprehended while planning to withdraw the funds allegedly transferred following the kidnapping of the employer.
The five suspects were placed under arrest for conspiracy to kidnap and for extortion at their meeting place in Melrose Arch on Friday, 23 August 2024. Three vehicles were seized including a Range Rover, a Toyota Ayga and a white Polo Vivo. Ten cell phones were also confiscated.
The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, applauded the work of intelligence and organised crime units, who diligently carried out their work with precision, executing a seamless operation to ensure the target’s life was not jeopardised.
“This was a sensitive operation but through the experience and skill set of our organised crime and intelligence team, we have managed to break the back of this syndicate. We do believe we have foiled many other kidnappings through the takedown of this syndicate. Investigations are continuing to determine if they can be linked to other kidnappings especially for ransom”, said Masemola.
This operation would not have been successful without the assistance of other stakeholders including private security and Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department.
