By: Natasha Archary

The South African Police Services (SAPS) confirm the arrest of 9 suspects, including 3 women in connection with a kidnapping syndicate targeting Portuguese businessmen.
This after a 53-year Portuguese businessman was kidnapped outside his business premises in Bramley, Johannesburg on Monday evening, 23 October.
SAPS National Anti-Kidapping Task Team found the businessman safe and unharmed at a house in Kempton Park on Tuesday afternoon, and he has been reunited with his.
The task team arrested 4 men and a woman at the location the businessman was rescued from.
Further leads took the team to an address in Hillbrow where 2 other women and a man were also arrested.
A 41-year old police officer was also among those arrested.
9 suspects including three women have been arrested for running a kidnapping syndicating targeting Portuguese businessmen in GP.A police man is among those arrested.A 53yr businessman was rescued today from this syndicate.SAPS will continue to remove rogue elements from its ranks pic.twitter.com/gnVzvMi6mQ
— Athlenda Mathe (@AthlendaM) October 24, 2023
The syndicate is alleged to be involved in at least five kidnapping cases where Portuguese businessmen were targeted.
SAPS Spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said ransom demands were made from the victims’ families, however the Bramly businessman’s family did not pay any ransom amount prior to his rescue.
National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola says while the organisation is dissapointed by the arrest of one of its own, it is pleasing to note that the organisation is ridding itself of corrupt elements.
“No member of SAPS is above the law, irrespective of their rank.
Police officers who are found on the wrong side of the law are dealt with accordingly. We will continue to root out rogue police officers from within our ranks.
The task team ha arrested 70 suspects in Gauteng linked to kidnapping cases from April to date.”
Also read: 1 SAPS officer and 4 others killed in apparent road rage incident



