SAPS
Gauteng police have arrested an Indian national in Lenasia south of Johannesburg for allegedly planning the kidnapping of a minor.
Spokesperson, Colonel Athlenda Mathe says the 55-year-old man was apprehended during a sting operation led by a multi-disciplinary team, in collaboration with private security.
She says the team followed up on information that a minor would be kidnapped and a hefty ransom be demanded.
Mathe says the suspect was arrested at a restaurant where a meeting was being held to discuss the execution of the kidnapping.
The man led the team to a number of properties where two unlicensed and one licensed firearm were recovered.
Colonel Mathe says a farm that was alleged to be used as a safe house to keep the minor was also identified and searched.
Police confiscated cellphones, SIM cards, laptops, false identity documents, a variety of ammunition and a Range Rover.
The suspect faces charges of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and extortion.
To date, police have arrested 116 suspects who had been involved in kidnappings for ransom.
