Mohammed Dewji, the president of MeTL Group, which operates in 10 countries across sectors ranging from agriculture to transport and food, was abducted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Dewji, who is worth around $1,5 billion (R21,7 billion), was born in Tanzania and is married with three children. In 2016, he signed a pledge to donate half of his fortune to philanthropic causes, and in a 2017 report, Forbes said Mr Dewji was Africa’s youngest billionaire.

The 43-year-old businessman was entering a hotel gym when he was snatched, reports News24.

“Initial information indicates he was kidnapped by whites travelling in two vehicles,” regional governor Paul Makonda told journalists, adding that “this kind of incident is new here”.

Dar es Salaam police chief Lazaro Mambosasa also implicated foreigners in the crime during a press conference, adding they had “shot into the air” before bustling Dewji into their car.

According to an eyewitness, the armed attackers forced their way into the hotel, at which point the security guards on duty ran away.

Police are hunting for suspects and have already made 12 arrests.

Dewji studied at Georgetown University in the States and served as a member of parliament from 2005 to 2015. He is also the main shareholder in Tanzania’s Simba FC football club.

[source:news24]