Gauteng police arrested three people in connection with the murder of a Pakistani businessman and the kidnapping of his business partner.
The suspects include two Mozambican nationals and a South African.
Gauteng police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Van Wyk, said the crime intelligence unit of the South African Police Services (SAPS) were investigating a case where two business partners came under attack at their hardware store in Ennerdale on August 27, 2024.
“It is alleged two business partners were attacked at their hardware store. One was killed at the scene and another kidnapped for ransom,” Van Wyk said.
“The kidnappers had demanded large sums of money for the victim.”
Van Wyk said on Sunday, September 8, 2024, the team arrested the suspects at various addresses in Gauteng.
“The kidnapping victim was rescued from an address in Lawley and reunited with his family.”
She said two suspects were in police custody, and the third suspect was under police guard in hospital.
“The suspect sustained a gunshot wound after trying to disarm a police officer during his arrest.”
The three are facing charges of murder, kidnapping and attempted murder and are expected to appear in court soon.
National Police Minister Senzo Mchunu during the release of the first quarter crime statistics said 135 cases of kidnapping for ransom were recorded during April 2024 and end July 2024.
Majority of the kidnapping — 81 cases- were recorded in Gauteng, followed by 15 in KwaZulu-Natal.
IOL News