In a dramatic rescue operation, the South African police have successfully freed an Ethiopian businessman who had been kidnapped in Johannesburg. The victim, who was abducted outside a restaurant in Norwood on Sunday, was located in Kensington following a targeted operation led by the police’s anti-kidnapping task team, working in close collaboration with private security forces.
Deadly Rescue Mission
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the tense operation, which culminated in a deadly shootout. Upon tracing the kidnapped businessman to a house in Kensington, the team engaged with the suspects, resulting in one kidnapper being fatally shot. Five others were arrested on the spot, and a significant haul of evidence was seized, including luxury watches, jewellery, and several vehicles used in the crime. Police also confiscated four illegal firearms, one of which was an AK47.
Ongoing Efforts Against Crime
The successful rescue of the businessman is part of a larger series of police operations aimed at combating crime across South Africa. Mathe highlighted the police’s recent accomplishments, including the recovery of 50 hijacked and stolen vehicles within the past week. Additionally, a significant drug bust occurred in Cape Town, where law enforcement destroyed R340 million worth of illegal drugs seized in recent operations. Over the past three years, authorities have destroyed drugs valued at R5.2 billion, signaling a relentless crackdown on criminal activity.
Further emphasizing the force’s ongoing commitment, Mathe shared that last week alone saw the seizure of 112 handguns, 38 of which were from the Western Cape, as well as 25 rifles, 13 shotguns, and five homemade firearms.
Kidnapping Statistics
Recent crime statistics reveal an alarming rise in kidnappings, with over 15,000 reported in the 2022/23 period. Gauteng leads the country with 7,818 kidnapping cases. Over the past two years, more than 250 kidnappers of various nationalities were arrested, and more than 20 businessmen were successfully rescued.
In the last six months alone, the police have apprehended 54 kidnappers across Gauteng, North West, Mpumalanga, and Free State, underscoring the authorities’ relentless efforts to tackle this growing threat.
