Johannesburg – Police have rescued a businessman, seized illicit drugs worth R300 million, and arrested eight kidnappers, including three Tanzanian nationals in Fourways, Johannesburg.
The businessman was kidnapped on 5 July 2024 at a mosque in Helderkruin, Roodepoort.
He was rescued by police from a house in Lenasia on Wednesday.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) anti-kidnapping task team has been working on the case and arrested the first two suspects last week.
Narrating events leading to the rescue of the businessman, police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said: “On Wednesday, (31 July 2024), intelligence led the multidisciplinary team to a hotel in East Gate and two apartments in Fourways, where they arrested six suspects and seized drugs suspected to be crystal meth worth R300 million”.
SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola visited the crime scene with the Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, and the Provincial Commissioner of Gauteng, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni.
General Masemola commended the police for dismantling transnational crime syndicates.
“Well done to the team. Our men and women in blue remain hard at work in taking down syndicates involved in dealing and the trafficking of drugs,” General Masemola said.
“Commendable progress has been registered in recent weeks and we owe those successes to our dedicated police officers and our partners in crime including, private security.
“We will continue to come after those who are involved in the illicit trade of drug trafficking”, said Gen Fannie Masemola.”
