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Five men were arrested when SAPS’s elite Special Task Force (STF) raided the Nancefield Hostel in Soweto to rescue a kidnapped Johannesburg businessman.
(The Post News)- Another Portuguese businessman has been rescued from the Nancefield Hostel in Soweto, where he had been held captive.
The man owns a Waltloo butchery in Johannesburg, and he was kidnapped in Southgate last week.
The police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said the victim was reunited with his family.
The businessman was rescued in a take-down operation led by the Special Task Force (STF), an elite unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Mathe stated that the man was kidnapped to extort a ransom, but due to swift police action, no payment was made.
She said that after the kidnapping was reported to the police, a team was formed to work around the clock to find the victim alive.
The take-down operation was carried out on Thursday afternoon. Two suspects, believed to be the drivers of the getaway vehicle, were arrested.
At around 10.30 p.m. on Thursday, the team entered the Nancefield Hostel, where a businessman was found tied up and guarded.
A suspect was arrested at the hostel, and further information led the team to a house in White City, Soweto, where they encountered the two suspects.
The victim’s bank card and wallet were found in their possession
The operation involved other forces, including private security companies, detectives, security police, and the Pretoria Air Wing.
At the beginning of this week, another Portuguese businessman was rescued in a house in Soweto after he was kidnapped outside his place of business.
The National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, commended the take-down operation and rescue of the victims for being well executed.
“Our dedicated team is working vigorously to rescue victims. Since January, 13 businessmen and at least six students have been rescued without paying a ransom. This is thanks to the expertise and skills of our team,” said General Masemola.
General Masemola stated that in the past two years, over 200 kidnappers have been arrested, thanks to the efforts of specialized teams.
“In six months, more than 54 kidnappers have been arrested in Gauteng, the North West, Mpumalanga, and the Free State,” he said.
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