File
Five people have been arrested for a spate of high-profile kidnappings in Gauteng where ransom had been demanded.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Athlenda Mathe, said a 37-year-old man, believed to be the alleged kingpin and three associates were arrested at a house in Brackenhurst on Wednesday during an intelligence-driven operation.
She said the fifth suspect was arrested in Benoni.
Police confiscated high-performance vehicles at both residences, while drugs, money, and other goods thought to have been acquired through the proceeds of crime, were also seized.
The suspects are believed to be behind the kidnapping of Mozambican national Jahyr Abdullah, and his friend last October, after they had arrived in Johannesburg from Maputo in a three-vehicle convoy.
Mathe said the captors, driving a vehicle with blue lights and sirens, removed the two from their car.
“His friend was rescued on the same day by various officials from law enforcement agencies and private security companies. Abdullah was rescued a month later at an identified address on 26 November 2021 by the Task Team,” she said.
The five are also suspected of being behind the kidnapping of an Indian national in Lenasia, Johannesburg last January.
Mathe said Yasin Bhiku was found unharmed by the Task Team, which she said is currently following intelligence-driven information on other active kidnapping cases where ransom demands were made.
The arrested suspects are due to appear in court soon.
