Latest news with #Anti-KidnappingTaskTeam
The Citizen
20 hours ago
- The Citizen
Police rescue kidnapped man in Germiston, two arrested
The victim's vehicle was found abandoned in Dawn Park. The South African Police Service's (Saps') Anti-Kidnapping Task Team has rescued a 30-year-old man and arrested two kidnappers during an operation east of Johannesburg. The man was rescued in Germiston on Friday evening. Rescue Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said the victim's vehicle was found abandoned in Dawn Park. 'Further investigation revealed that the owner of the vehicle had been kidnapped and was being held against his will. 'Within 24 hours, intelligence directed the task team to an identified address in Germiston. With support from a tactical unit, the team entered the premises and successfully rescued the victim,' Van Wyk said. BREAKING: KIDNAPPING VICTIM RESCUED by ANTI-KIDNAPPING UNIT SUCCESS On 27 June 2025, a white BMW abandoned in Dawnpark was found with blood in the car. 🔍 Investigations revealed the vehicle belonged to a man kidnapped and shot the day before. 🎯 Intelligence led teams to… June 27, 2025 ALSO READ: Kidnapped Gqeberha woman Lindsay Knowlden reunited with family Arrests Van Wyk added that two suspects were arrested at the scene, while others managed to flee during a shootout with police. 'The rescued victim confirmed he had been kidnapped on Thursday, 26 June 2025. 'Just last week, police traced a Mozambican kidnapping kingpin to an apartment block in Fourways, Johannesburg. The suspect, linked to several kidnappings, was fatally wounded in a shootout with police,' Van Wyk said. Van Wyk said Saps remains resolute in its commitment to dismantling kidnapping syndicates and bringing perpetrators to justice. Kamogelo Baukudi On Friday, Saps made a major breakthrough and confirmed that the kidnapped 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi had been found alive. The grade 11 pupil from Martie du Plessis Special Needs School was found alive early on Friday morning, six weeks after he went missing. Police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said they were relieved that Baukudi had been found. 'After weeks of intensive investigation, Kamogelo was safely located and rescued in Wepener in the early hours of this morning, 27 June 2025. During an intelligence-driven operation, five African males aged between 20 and 29 were arrested. 'Three suspects were apprehended at a house in Kanana Location, Wepener, while two others were caught on the road between Kwetla Location and Wepener town with the victim,' Makhele said. Kidnapping Makhele added that this brings the total number of arrests in the case to six. A police task team was established to search for Baukudi who was abducted on Thursday, 5 June 2025, while driving home from school in Vereeniging Drive, Bloemfontein. ALSO READ: Gauteng family pleads for safe return of their little daughter
The Citizen
7 days ago
- The Citizen
Kidnappings in Gauteng under scrutiny as SAPS task team takes down Mozambican kingpin
Kidnappings in Gauteng under scrutiny as SAPS task team takes down Mozambican kingpin Gauteng continues to be a hotspot for kidnapping-for-ransom cases, with dozens of abductions reported across the province since the beginning of the year. Several of these cases also occurred in the Carletonville area. In a recent major breakthrough, the South African Police Service (SAPS) Anti-Kidnapping Task Team tracked down a wanted Mozambican kidnapping kingpin to an apartment complex in Fourways, Johannesburg. The operation is part of an ongoing investigation into the kidnapping of a Pakistani businessman from Pretoria West, who remains missing. His family has received a ransom demand, and SAPS continues its search for his safe return. The high-risk tracing operation began at a residential estate in Carlswald, Midrand, where officers arrested two suspects and seized two vehicles — a luxury Mercedes-Benz and a silver Mitsubishi Pajero — believed to have been used in previous kidnappings. From Midrand, the investigation led the team to Fourways. Upon arrival, they came under fire and returned shots in a deadly confrontation. One suspect was fatally wounded during the shootout. He was later identified as 40-year-old Mauro Mucambe Junior, a fugitive wanted by Mozambican authorities in connection with several kidnapping cases. A warrant for his arrest was issued by the Maputo Police in August 2024. Police recovered an unlicensed firearm, 10 rounds of ammunition, four mobile phones, and four bank cards from the scene. The SAPS confirmed that since January 2024, the Anti-Kidnapping Task Team has arrested over 170 suspects involved in ransom-related abductions, rescued more than 100 victims — mostly in Gauteng — and recovered more than R1.2 million in ransom money. Over 40 vehicles used in the commission of these crimes have also been confiscated. This latest case also ties into the recent breakthrough in the murder investigation of Olorato Mongale. The same task team helped track down a key suspect, Philangenkosi Makhanya. Another suspect, Bongani Mthimkhulu, is still at large. SAPS reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling kidnapping syndicates operating in Gauteng and beyond, urging the public to report suspicious activity. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
21-06-2025
- The Citizen
Mozambican kidnapping kingpin tracked to Fourways, killed in shoot-out
Fourways is trending on social media after a dramatic police anti-kidnapping operation unfolded in the suburb this week, resulting in the fatal shooting of a wanted Mozambican fugitive and the arrest of two suspects. The South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a media statement that an Anti-Kidnapping Task Team was following leads in the case of a kidnapped Pakistani businessman from Pretoria West, who remains in captivity. Read more: Police nab suspected ringleader of kidnapping for ransom syndicate It is said in the statement that a ransom demand has been made to his family. The high-level operation was launched at a residential complex in Carlswald, Midrand, where officers seized a Mercedes-Benz, a silver Mitsubishi Pajero, and arrested two suspects linked to the kidnapping. The team then moved to Fourways, where a shoot-out erupted as officers approached. One suspect was fatally wounded. He was later identified as 40-year-old Mauro Mucambe Junior, a kidnapping kingpin wanted in Mozambique and linked to multiple abductions. Also read: Police rescue kidnapped businessman, arrest 11 suspects, and seize R300m worth of drugs Police say a warrant for his arrest was issued by Maputo police in August 2024. An unlicensed firearm used by the suspect, along with 10 rounds of ammunition, was recovered at the scene. Police also seized four cellphones and four bank cards believed to be connected to the syndicate. 'The SAPS has full faith and confidence in the work of the Anti-Kidnapping Task Team to rescue the kidnapped businessman. Since January 2024 to date, the team has arrested more than 170 criminals involved in kidnappings for ransom. More than R1.2 million has been recovered,' said Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, police spokesperson. The police confirmed their confidence in the Anti-Kidnapping Task Team, which has made major strides in tackling ransom kidnappings this year. 'The same team recently made a breakthrough in the murder of Olorato Mongale by tracing Philangenkosi Makhanya. The manhunt for co-accused Bongani Mthimkhulu continues.' The operation has sparked praise across social media, with Fourways residents applauding SAPS for their swift and decisive action. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Child kidnapping prevention tips for all ages At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
