Johannesburg – Police have shot dead a kidnapper and arrested five others before freeing a kidnapped Ethiopian businessman in Kensington.
The SA Police Service (SAPS) anti-kidnapping task team also recovered four illegal firearms including an AK47.
The businessman was kidnapped outside a restaurant in Norwood on Sunday, (9 March 2025).
“Today, a team comprising of various units within the SAPS led by the anti-kidnapping task team working closely with private security, traced the victim to a house in Kensington, Johannesburg,” said SAPS spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.
“A shoot-out ensued and one kidnapper was shot dead, and five other kidnappers were arrested.
“Vehicles used in the commission of the crime were seized and some items belonging to the victim have been seized including luxury watches and jewellery.”
Police officers across the country remain hard at work in stamping and affirming the authority of the state.
National SAPS Commissioner General Fannie Masemola commended the efforts of police officers across the country in fighting crime including kidnapping.
He said 14 165 suspects were arrested and 155 illegal firearms were recovered in the last seven days.
A breakdown of the firearms seized during police operations included the following:
- 112 handguns: the Western Cape province seized the majority of firearms with 38 illegal handguns confiscated in the past week
- 25 rifles
- 13 shotguns
- 5 homemade guns
50 hijacked and stolen vehicles were also recovered in the last seven days.
“Just last week, police destroyed R340 million worth of drugs in Cape Town,” said Brigadier Mathe.
“These were drugs that were seized during operations. In the last three years, police have destroyed drugs worth R5.2 Billion.”
