Latest news with #MauroMucambeJunior
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- 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 Herald
21-06-2025
- The Herald
Wanted Mozambican kidnapper killed by cops in Fourways
In yet another success story for the national anti-kidnapping task team, a wanted Mozambican kidnapper was shot dead this week during a tracing operation in Johannesburg. National police spokesperson Brig Athlende Mathe said the anti-kidnapping task team traced a Mozambican kidnapping kingpin to a block of apartments in Fourways. 'The team was tracing a kidnapped Pakistani businessman from Pretoria West. He is still in captivity and the team is still searching for [him]. A ransom demand has been made to the businessman's family,' Mathe said. The tracing operation began at a residential complex in Midrand where they seized a Mercedes-Benz, a silver Pajero and arrested two kidnappers. 'They proceeded to Fourways where the task team announced their arrival and a shoot-out ensued. One suspect was fatally wounded and upon further investigation, it was discovered that 40-year-old Mauro Mucambe Junior is a wanted kidnapping kingpin in Mozambique where he has been linked to several kidnappings. His warrant of arrest was issued by Maputo police in August 2024.' One unlicensed firearm used by the fugitive was seized, including 10 rounds of ammunition. Four cellphones and four bank cards were also seized. 'The SAPS has full faith and confidence in the work of the anti-kidnapping task team to rescue the kidnapped businessman. Since January 2024, the team has arrested more than 170 criminals involved in kidnappings for ransom. More than R1.2m has been recovered. More than 100 victims were rescued mainly in Gauteng and more than 40 vehicles used in kidnapping crimes were seized by the team. 'The anti-kidnapping task team recently registered a breakthrough in the Olorato Mongale murder case where they led the tracing operation of Philangenkosi Makhanya. The search is still on for Bongani Mthimkhulu,' Mathe said. TimesLIVE
News24
21-06-2025
- News24
Mozambican kidnapping kingpin killed in Joburg as R27m ransom case unfolds
A wanted Mozambican kidnapping kingpin, Mauro Mucambe Junior, was killed in a shootout with police in Fourways. The police operation is linked to the kidnapping of a Pakistani businessman from Pretoria West. A R27-million ransom was demanded for his release. A suspected Mozambican kidnapping kingpin was killed in a shootout with police in Fourways, Johannesburg, amid an ongoing investigation into the abduction of a Pretoria West businessman. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe on Saturday said the Anti-Kidnapping Task Team had been following leads on the kidnapping of a Pakistani national who remains in captivity. A R27-million ransom demand was made to his family. The victim is a prominent wholesale supplier to hundreds of shops across Gauteng. Police first swooped on a residential complex in Carlswald, Midrand, where they arrested two suspects and seized a Mercedes-Benz and silver Pajero. They then moved to Fourways, where a shootout ensued. Supplied/SAPS 'One suspect was fatally wounded, and it was later confirmed that the deceased was 40-year-old Mauro Mucambe Junior, a wanted kidnapping mastermind in Mozambique,' said Mathe. 'A warrant for his arrest was issued in Maputo in August 2024.' Police recovered an unlicenced firearm with ten rounds of ammunition, four cellphones, and four bank cards during the operation. Since January 2024 to date, Mathe said the task team had arrested more than 170 criminals involved in kidnappings for ransom. More than R1.2 million had been recovered and more than 100 people rescued, mainly in Gauteng, and more than 40 vehicles used in kidnapping crimes were also seized, she added. The task team was also instrumental in tracking down Philangenkosi Makhanya, wanted in connection with the murder of Olorato Mongale, whose body was found in Lombardy West after she went missing following a date. The search continues for his alleged accomplice, Bongani Mthimkhulu.
eNCA
21-06-2025
- eNCA
Wanted Mozambican kidnapping kingpin killed in shootout
JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng police have shot and killed a wanted Mozambican kidnapping kingpin. Mauro Mucambe Junior was shot during a Johannesburg operation. The 40-year-old has been linked to multiple kidnappings. He was apprehended during a search for a kidnapped Pakistani businessman from Pretoria West, who remains in captivity with a ransom demand. A shootout ensued when police attempted the arrest. One unlicensed firearm and ten rounds of ammunition were recovered.
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!
