By Everson Luhanga
Police have arrested eight kidnappers in a bust that ranged from Lenasia in the south to Fourways in the north of Johannesburg, rescuing a businessman and seizing R300-million worth of drugs.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the businessman was kidnapped on 5 July at a mosque in Roodepoort.
The kidnappers demanded R5-million for his release.
He was rescued from a house in Lenasia on Wednesday without any ransom being paid.
Brigadier Mathe said the SAPS anti-kidnapping team had been working on the case and arrested the first two suspects last week.
“On 31 July, intelligence led the team to a hotel in Eastgate and two apartments in Fourways where they arrested six more suspects and seized drugs suspected to be crystal meth worth R300-million.”
The drugs were linked to one crime syndicate. When the Scrolla.Africa team arrived at the scene, sealed bags of drugs were on the floor in a secure place with 24-hour security.
There was a heavy presence of police detectives who had been following the case.
Police National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola visited the crime scene with Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, and Provincial Commissioner of Gauteng, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni.
General Masemola said police are working hard to fight organised crime syndicates.
“We have made commendable progress in recent weeks, thanks to our dedicated police officers and our partners, including private security. We will continue to go after those involved in drug trafficking,” said General Masemola.
Pictured above: Sealed bags of drugs
Image source: Everson Luhanga
