By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
An Indian businessman has been reunited with his family after he was kidnapped more than a month ago, SA Police Services (SAPS) confirmed.
He was found in a shack in Alexandra, North of Johannesburg, a few hours after the kidnapping kingpin was killed by police in Kempton Park.
The Mozambican kidnapping kingpin was killed during the shooting with police near the R21 in Kempton Park.
His rescue followed a high-stakes confrontation on Wednesday evening along the R21, where the mastermind — known by the alias “Dollarman” — was killed after opening fire on officers.
According to police “Dollarman” was a notorious cross-border kidnapper, wanted in Mozambique and listed on SERNIC’s wanted persons database for multiple ransom kidnappings.
In South Africa, he was linked to at least five kidnapping-for-ransom cases, as well as housebreaking, carjacking, and possession of unlicensed firearms.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed his death marked a major breakthrough in the fight against organised kidnapping syndicates.
“The suspect was a known kingpin on both sides of the border. His neutralisation will send a strong message to these syndicates that the SAPS is relentless in its pursuit of criminals who terrorise our communities.”
The businessman’s identity has not been disclosed for security reasons. Police investigations into the kidnapping syndicate continue, added Mathe.”