Pretoria – A second kidnapped Portuguese-speaking butchery owner has been rescued from Nancefield hostel in Soweto, where five suspects were arrested.
The man, who owns a Waltloo butchery in Johannesburg, was kidnapped last week in South Gate.
Narrating events leading to the rescue, national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe on Friday said: “An intelligence-driven operation led by the South African Police Service, Special Task Force(STF) unit has rescued a Portuguese businessman from Nancefield hostel in Soweto where he was being held captive”.
Earlier this week police rescued another Portuguese-speaking butchery owner.
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Commenting further on Friday, Brigadier Mathe said the rescued butchery owner has been reunited with his family.
“The man was kidnapped for ransom payment but no payment was made as a direct result of police acting swiftly,” said Brigadier Mathe.
“As soon as the matter was brought to the attention of the SAPS, a team was assembled and the team worked around the clock to find the victim alive.
“A takedown operation was executed on Thursday afternoon (04 July 2024) where two suspects who are believed to be the drivers of the getaway vehicles were arrested.
“At about 22:30 on Thursday evening, the team descended onto the Nancefield Hostel in Soweto where the businessman was found tied up and guarded.”
Brigadier Mathe said another suspect was arrested at the hostel and further information led the team to a house in White City Soweto, where two other suspects were found.
“The victim’s bank cards and wallet were found in their possession,” said Brigadier Mathe.
The National Commissioner of the SA Police Service, General Fannie Masemola has applauded various units for ensuring a well-coordinated and executed takedown operation that will ensure victims lives are not compromised and are found alive,” said General Masemola.
“Our dedicated teams remain relentless in their pursuit to ensure they rescue victims. From January to date, 13 businessmen and at least six students were rescued without ransom payment being made.
“This is as a result of the expertise and capabilities of our teams.
“In the past two years, more than 200 kidnappers have been arrested and all thanks to the commitment of our dedicated teams.”
He said in just six months, more than 54 kidnappers operating in Gauteng, North West, Mpumalanga, and Free State have been arrested.
Other units involved in this operation include Private Security, Detectives, Public Order Police, and the Pretoria Airwing.
