Kidnapped Portuguese businessman rescued

The businessman was abducted on Tuesday, shortly after dropping off an employee in Rewlatch, south of Johannesburg. 

A ransom demand was made for his release.

On Saturday, a multi-disciplinary team, led by the Crime Intelligence Kidnapping Unit, pinpointed a location in Westdene and launched a tactical operation.

“Upon arrival at the premises, officers found the businessman unharmed and arrested the suspect,” said Gauteng police spokesperson Amanda van Wyk, adding that more arrests are expected. 

The suspect, who is a Zimbabwean national, will appear in court next week.

This operation follows a string of kidnappings involving Portuguese nationals in Gauteng last year. 

In July, police made an arrest in connection with the abduction of another Portuguese businessman in Johannesburg. 

Over the past six months, at least 12 businessmen and six students have been rescued by law enforcement.

Following that, a 49-year-old man was freed from a house in Snake Park, Soweto, where he had been held captive.

Additionally, a 39-year-old suspect believed to be part of a kidnapping syndicate was arrested in Turfontein, Johannesburg.

At that time, police reported the arrest of 49 kidnappers involved in ransom schemes across Gauteng, North West, and the Free State. 

Twenty-one vehicles used in these crimes were confiscated, along with eight firearms.

ALSO READ 

<div class="iframely-embed"><div class="iframely-responsive" style="height: 140px; padding-bottom: 0;"><a href="https://www.jacarandafm.com/news/news/police-rescue-kidnapped-ec-businessman/" data-iframely-url="//iframely.net/tYFXEak?card=small"></a></div></div><script async src="//iframely.net/embed.js"></script>