By Umamah Bakharia

A Lenasia businessman has been safely reunited with his family, three days after he was Kidnapped. Luqman Kazi, a 34-year-old businessman was kidnapped while on his way to work on Tuesday.

Speaking to Radio Islam, Colonel Athlenda Mathe says that as soon as a case of kidnapping was opened, SAPS ensembled “a multidisciplinary team” to rescue the victim and apprehend the suspect.

According to Colonel Mathe, the businessman was rescued following a midnight takedown operation as they “simultaneously pounced on four identified addresses.” At the first address in Lawley, police found and rescued the victim, seized a 9mm unlicensed firearm and arrested three suspects.
 
At the other addresses in Lenasia, the team arrested three more suspects, including a 43-year-old Mozambican national believed to be the mastermind behind a number of Kidnapping cases in Gauteng.

Police also found and seized R6 million in cash which is believed to be ransom paid on other kidnapping cases, an unlicensed AK47 rifle, ammunition, one hijacked motor vehicle, a VW polo that was utilised in the kidnapping of the businessman, military-grade signal jammers as well as various vehicle registration number plates.

All six are facing charges of kidnapping, extortion, money laundering, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, and possession of a hijacked motor vehicle.

The suspects will be appearing in court between 48-hours.

In response to a bail application, Colonel Mathe says, “we will have to look at the merits of the case and we would have to look at things like the addresses where they stay and so forth.”

She assures that SAPS is making inroads to curb kidnapping cases.

“The latest arrest can tell you that the South African Police Service has the capacity and the expertise to clamp down this type of crime and hence, we always emphasise for members of the public to help us in the fight against time,” says Colonel Mathe.

So far, the SAPS have managed to apprehend 8 suspects who are believed to have contributed to the increase of kidnappings in Gauteng.