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The SAPS Special Task Force has come to the rescue of two people who were kidnapped in Benoni on Sunday.

The 64-year-old man and his 34-year-old passenger were kidnapped from their car while driving along Putfontein Road in Crystal Park.

The kidnappers immediately began making ransom demands to the families, and police managed to trace the communication to an informal settlement in Crystal Park on Monday afternoon.

The anti-kidnap team descended on the location and a shootout ensued, resulting in one of the kidnappers being fatally shot while four more were taken into custody.

Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe confirmed the incident, saying “The police service assures communities it has the necessary expertise and capabilities to intercept and take down syndicates involved in kidnappings where ransom demands are made”.

This assurance comes following the reported arrest of six kidnappers after two businessmen were rescued from captivity last week.

Reports in the media seem to suggest that Portuguese business owners have been targeted by a criminal syndicate operating in Gauteng. Last week’s rescue involved a Portuguese businessman who was snatched from his business premises in Florida on Monday, June 24.

National police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said in the last six months, 12 businessmen and six students who had been kidnapped for ransom have been rescued by a multidisciplinary team led by the police’s Anti-Kidnapping Task Team.

“In cases where businessmen and students had been rescued, no ransom payment was made as a direct result of the expertise and capabilities of SAPS detectives, the Crime Intelligence Unit, and the collaboration with private security.”

From January 2024 to date, 49 kidnappers who had demanded ransom payment from families of victims have been arrested in Gauteng, North West, and the Free State. 21 vehicles used in the commission of these crimes have been confiscated and eight firearms have also been seized.

“The SAPS is confident that by working together with all stakeholders and community tip-offs, it will continue to take down more syndicates believed to be behind a spate of kidnappings for ransom across the country,” Mathe said.

Communities are urged to immediately report to their nearest police station or call the Crime Stop hotline number 08600 10111 if their relatives or friends fall victim to kidnappers.

[source:timelive&iol]