Police arrested a 40-year-old suspected kidnapping kingpin shortly after he arrived in the country at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday morning.
SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said police had been monitoring the Zambian national and intercepted him right after he flew into the country from his home country.
“Police have been keeping a close watch on the suspect’s movement. The suspect is believed to be one of the ringleaders behind a kidnapping-for-ransom syndicate targeting businessmen in South Africa,” Mathe said.
“He is specifically linked to the kidnapping of a 63-year-old businessman. The businessman was kidnapped in Helderkruin, Roodepoort in July. He was rescued on the same day that police made the discovery of R300 million worth of crystal meth at two properties in Fourways and a hotel in Bruma.”
Mathe added that he was also believed to be a key figure linked to the R300m crystal meth drugs that were seized.
“Police have been tracking the suspect, and upon arrival at the OR Tambo Airport, he was arrested by a multidisciplinary team led by SAPS anti-kidnapping task team, counterintelligence, detectives, Johannesburg Metro Police Department K-9 unit, Flying Squad and private security.”
The suspect is expected to be charged with eight other suspects who were arrested for the kidnapping of the businessman and the drug bust.
