In a major breakthrough, the SAPS Anti-Kidnapping Task Team safely reunited an Indian businessman with his family early Thursday morning after a violent confrontation that resulted in the death of Mozambique’s most wanted kidnapping kingpin just hours before.
The high-stakes operation began on Wednesday night when police located the notorious kingpin. According to National Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the suspect was traced along the N21 highway. When officers attempted to corner him, the kingpin rammed the police vehicle and opened fire on them. Police returned fire, killing the suspect in the ensuing shootout. No police officers were injured in the incident.
The slain kingpin, who was found in possession of both South African and Mozambican identity documents, was a top-tier suspect on Mozambique’s SARI wanted persons database. He was also the subject of a warrant of arrest for a spate of kidnappings in that country.
Following the shootout, the police task team immediately pursued further leads. Just after midnight, officers raided a shack in the Alexandra township, where they located and rescued the Indian businessman who had been held captive since his abduction in July. He was subsequently reunited with his family.
Brigadier Mathe confirmed that while the primary suspect was neutralized, no other arrests were made during the rescue operation. She stated that the search for additional suspects is ongoing, noting that the kingpin was part of a “large syndicate” not operating alone.
The police are now linking the syndicate to at least five kidnapping cases, including another incident in Lenasia where a 60-year-old businessman was kidnapped and later rescued in Roodepoort two months ago. In that previous operation, two suspected kidnappers were shot and killed and three others were arrested.
The investigation remains active as authorities continue to hunt for the accomplices who were holding the businessman captive in Alexandra.
