Thread by @Abramjee

“Management of the @SAPoliceService has lauded the persistent efforts of the CI National Anti-Kidnapping Task Team following the arrest of a 37-year-old man believed to be the mastermind and alleged kingpin behind a spate of high profile kidnappings where a ransom was demanded…

“…in various parts of Gauteng as well as in Maputo, Mozambique.

“On Wednesday afternoon, an intelligence driven operation led the Task Team to an identified address in Brackenhurst where the team pounced on the alleged kingpin and his three associates.

“…police found and seized three high powered vehicles, 6 000 tablets of Mandrax, hard cash, a receipt of sale for a R1,9m property in Bryanston, several high end luxury brand clothing, all of which police believe were acquired through money received from ransom cash payments.

“On Thursday, the team continued with the tracing of another suspect who is part of this syndicate. The team kept an observation at an identified address in Benoni and moved in to arrest the suspect.

“Another high performance vehicle was seized and the suspect was apprehended and is currently in police custody.

“The mastermind and his associates are accused of kidnapping and demanding a ransom in a number of high profile cases which include the following:

“Mr Jahyr Abdullah, a Mozambiquen national and his friend were kidnapped on 15 Oct 2021.
The pair had just entered JHB from Mozambique in a three vehicle motorcade when they were pulled over by their captors who were driving a blue BMW sedan fitted with blue lights and sirens.

“His friend was rescued on the same day by various officials from law enforcement agencies and private security companies. Mr Abdula was rescued a month later at an identified address on Friday, 26 November 2021 by the Task Team.

“Another case is that of Mr Yasin Bhiku, an Indian national who was kidnapped in the driveway of his home in Lenasia. This incident took place on 11 Jan 2021, when Mr Bhiku was returning home at 05:00 from morning prayer. Hot on the heels of his captors, Mr Bhikhu was released…

“The team is currently following intelligence driven information on other active high profile kidnapping cases where ransom demands have been made.

“Although not related to this syndicate, the same team were also responsible for rescuing the 11-year-old girl who was kidnapped outside her school gate in Mayfair, last year. The little girl was later rescued in an informal settlement near Soweto.

“The Crime Intelligence National Anti-Kidnapping Task Team was established on the 18th November 2021 following a spike in kidnapping cases where a ransom was demanded.

“Since its inception, the team has been hard at work, tracking and tracing wanted suspects and syndicates involved in several cases in the country where demands were made for the safe return of victims.

“The Management of the SAPS is confident that the Task Team is closing in on several syndicates responsible for Kidnapping for ransom cases.