Johannesburg – Gauteng police have rescued two businessmen who were abducted and have arrested seven suspects.
Authorities seized firearms, mobile phones, and vehicles used in these criminal acts.
Outlining the events leading to the arrests, police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk remarked: “On Saturday, (7 December 2024), a Chinese businessman was hijacked and taken in Springs, Ekurhuleni by a group of assailants.”
Lieutenant Colonel Van Wyk also mentioned: “Within 24 hours, a multi-disciplinary team acted on information that led them to the location of the kidnappers.”
“The team intercepted the abductors’ vehicle, an Audi A3, at an intersection in Lenasia and arrested two suspects on Sunday, (8 December 2024).
“Following that, the team went to a residence in Meriting where they apprehended one more kidnapper and rescued the businessman.”
Lieutenant Colonel Van Wyk indicated that in a separate incident on 1 December 2024, another businessman was hijacked and kidnapped by a group of assailants in Wierdabrug.
“The victim’s vehicle was later located in the Heuweloord area,” she stated.
“An intelligence unit led a multi-disciplinary team to retrieve the kidnappers’ vehicle, a Jeep, which had been left behind in a garage in Nellmapius, Tshwane.”
Lieutenant Colonel Van Wyk elaborated that the team followed a lead to an address in Mamelodi, Tshwane, where they captured four additional suspects and rescued two kidnapped victims.
“Seized items included firearms, mobile phones, a Jeep SRT8, and a Hyundai Getz,” Lieutenant Colonel Van Wyk reported.
“Investigations into both incidents are currently ongoing.
“These operations were made possible through collaboration with other law enforcement entities and private security.”
