| 2024/07/05 |
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Media Statement PRETORIA – An intelligence driven operation led by the South African Police Service, Special Task Force (STF) unit have rescued a Portuguese businessman from Nancefield hostel in Soweto where he was being held captive. The man who owns a Waltloo butchery in Johannesburg, was kidnapped last week in South Gate. He has been reunited with his family. The man was kidnapped for ransom payment but no payment was made as a direct result of police acting swiftly. As soon as the matter was brought to the attention of the SAPS, a team was assembled and the team worked around the clock to find the victim alive. A takedown operation was executed on Thursday afternoon (04 July 2024) where two suspects who are believed to the be the drivers of the getaway vehicles were arrested. At about 22:30 on Thursday evening, the team descended onto the Nancefield Hostel in Soweto where the businessman was found tied up and guarded. One more suspect was arrested at the hostel and further information led the team to a house in White City Soweto where two other suspects were found. The victims bank cards and wallet were found in their possession. Earlier this week, another Portuguese businessman was rescued from a house in Soweto. He had been kidnapped outside his business premises as well. The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola has applauded members of the SAPS for always ensuring a well-coordinated and executed takedown operation that will ensure victims lives are not compromised and are found alive. “Our dedicated teams remain relentless in their pursuit to ensure they rescue victims. From January to date , 13 businessmen and at least six students were rescued without ransom payment being made. This is as a result of the expertise and capabilities of our teams. In the past two years more than 200 kidnappers have been arrested and all thanks to the commitment of our dedicated teams”, said Gen Masemola. In a period of six months, more than 54 kidnappers operating in Gauteng, North West, Mpumalanga and Free State have been arrested.
Other units involved in this operation include Private Security, Detectives, Public Order Police and the Pretoria Airwing.
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