By: Natasha Archary

A 49-year old Portuguese businessman was the latest kidnapping victim to be rescued by the South African Police Service (SAPS) anti-kidnapping task team.
The team arrested a 39-year old suspect believed to belong to a syndicate responsible for at least 4 other kidnappings where businessmen in the Johannesburg District were targets.
In the past 6-months, 12 businessmen and 6 students who had been kidnapped for ransom were rescued.
On Monday evening, 01 July the task team traced the Portuguese businessman to a home in Snake Park, Soweto where he was being held captive.
That same evening, members also arrested one of his captors in Turffontein, Johannesburg south.
Police are currently tracing suspects who were working with the suspect.
In cases where the 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 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 8 firearms have also been seized.
The SAPS is confident that working together with all stakeholders and community tip-offs, it will continue to takedown more syndicates believed to be behind a spate of kidnappings for ransom across the country.
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