| Eight kidnappers arrested and a man reunited with his family | |
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| Date Published: | |
| 19/JAN/26 | |
| Description Details: | |
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Media Statement PARKTOWN - A 43-year-old man has been rescued following an intelligence driven operation led by Johannesburg District Commissioner, Major General Nhlanhla Kubheka. It is reported that, on 09 January 2026, the victim was travelling with his wife from work towards Booysens when accosted by four armed men driving a Toyota Quantum. The victim was forced into the suspects' vehicle before it sped off, leaving the wife who contacted the police. A kidnapping case was registered at Kliptown police station and resources were mobilised to trace and locate the victim. Following his kidnapping, the family began receiving a ransom demand and it was also established that, several withdrawals have been made from the victim's bank account. Through intelligence methodologies and technology, the suspects' cellphones were traced and it was also established that the suspects operate in Jeppe hostel, Nancefield hostel and Mzimhlophe hostel in Soweto. On 17 January 2026, the team promptly operationalised the information and four suspects were traced and arrested at Jeppe Hostel. Further investigations linked the suspects to two more kidnapping cases opened last year in Jeppe and Diepsloot. This information led to the arrest of four more suspects; three in Diepsloot and one found with an unlicensed firearm was arrested in Orlando. The victim was released from Mzihlophe hostel where he was kept and has been reunited with his family. All eight arrested suspects are expected to appear before Lenasia Court today, 19 January 2026 on a charge of kidnapping and extortion. Police units involved in this operation include SAPS crime intelligence, Anti-Kidnapping team, Johannesburg Hostage Negotiator, Technical Response Team, Special Task Force, K9, Flying Squad, Kliptown detectives and private security. Ends
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