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1 month ago
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Two suspected kidnappers were killed and three arrested during a police shootout in Randfontein, where a kidnapped businessman was rescued.
- Two alleged kidnappers were killed and three others were arrested during a police raid in Randfontein, Gauteng.
- The group was allegedly involved in the kidnapping of a 60-year-old businessman, in which a R15 million ransom demand was made.
- The police’s anti-kidnapping task team successfully rescued the victim.
Two alleged kidnappers were killed during a shootout with police in Randfontein, Gauteng, on Thursday afternoon.
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the group was linked to the kidnapping of a 60-year-old businessman who was taken against his will in Lenasia on 29 May.
“Following his kidnapping, the family began receiving a ransom demand of at least R15 million,” Mathe said.
An intelligence operation by the police’s anti-kidnapping task team led officers to a house in Randfontein at 15:15 where the man was being held.
Mathe said shots were exchanged between the alleged suspects and the police.
“Two suspects were fatally wounded in the house while three suspects were arrested,” she said.
“The businessman was rescued and has been reunited with his family.”
Three people have been arrested during a rescue operation involving a kidnapped businessman in Randfontein, Gauteng.
According to Mathe, 144 kidnappings for ransom were reported in Gauteng between January and March this year.
READ | Mozambican kidnapping kingpin killed in Joburg as R27m ransom case unfolds
She said in the past two years, more than 170 kidnappers involved in ransom cases had been arrested in Gauteng and other provinces by the police’s anti-kidnapping task team.
“Last month, a Mozambican kidnapping kingpin was shot dead in Fourways during a tracing operation of a kidnapped Pakistani businessman,” Mathe said.
Police units involved in the operation on Thursday included Crime Intelligence, organised crime, K9, the Johannesburg Metro Police Department, the Gauteng police flying squad, highway patrol and private security.
