The South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Takedown Operation has led to the arrest of seven suspects linked to three kidnapping incidents in Gauteng.
The operation led by a Multidisciplinary Task Team consisting of detectives, Hawks, crime intelligence and hostage negotiators was conducted at Rossettenville, Johannesburg, where the team raided three addresses.
At one of the addresses, an Eldorado Park kidnap victim, kidnapped on the 16th of April, was rescued during the operation, SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said.
“Four men and a woman with an infant were arrested for kidnapping and a number of cellphones and cash were seized.
“Two more men were arrested at the other raided premises for possession of a hijacked motor vehicle and a stolen firearm, a 9mm pistol.”
Naidoo said the suspects are linked to three cases of kidnapping - the Eldorado Park, Cullinan and Alberton.
“The victim on the Cullinan case was kidnapped on the 8th of April 2018 and released nine days later on the 17th while the victim on the Alberton case was kidnapped on 7 March 2018 and released on 8 April 2018.”
SAPS investigations are underway to determine if these suspects cannot be linked to more incidents of kidnapping around the country.
Meanwhile, the Hawks’ South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau together with crime intelligence recovered drugs worth over R2.6 million and almost R300 000 in cash on Tuesday.
The assortment of drugs that includes Cocaine and MDMA as well as the cash amount were recovered during an intelligence-driven disruptive operation in a house in Hastings Street, Cape Town.
Two suspects aged 39 and 48 were arrested and are expected to appear at Cape Town Magistrate’s Court. – SAnews.gov.za
