A 49-year-old Portuguese businessman, who was kidnapped for ransom last month, is the latest victim to be rescued by the police In Soweto.

A 49-year-old Portuguese businessman, who was kidnapped for ransom last month, is the latest victim to be rescued by the police In Soweto.

In the last six months, 12 businessmen and six students who had been kidnapped for ransom have been rescued by a multidisciplinary team led by the South African Police Service (SAPS) anti-kidnapping task team.

According to the SAPS, the Portuguese businessman was kidnapped from his business premises in Florida, Johannesburg, on 24 June 2024.

Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says on Monday evening the team traced the victim to a home in Thulani Doornkop, where he had been in captivity. 

“On the same evening, members also arrested one of his captors in Turffontein, Johannesburg,” said Brigadier Mathe.

“The SAPS anti-kidnapping task team including other law enforcement agencies and private security have been working around the clock to find the businessman, safe and unharmed,” she said. 

The police believe that the 39-year-old suspect belongs to a syndicate that is responsible for at least four other kidnappings where businessmen were the target in the Johannesburg District. 

She says the team is currently tracing suspects who were working together with the man.

“In cases where the businessmen and students had been rescued, no ransom payment was made as a direct result of the expertise and capabilities of SAPS detectives, the crime intelligence unit and collaboration with private security,” added Mathe.

Brigadier Mathe says 49 kidnappers who had demanded ransom payment from families of victims have been arrested in Gauteng, the North West and Free State. 

“The SAPS is confident that working together with all stakeholders and community tip-offs, it will continue to take down more syndicates believed to be behind a spate of kidnappings for ransom across the country,” concluded Mathe.-#JoziFmNews