Police rescued a 55-year-old Pakistani businessman and arrested four temptants at various locations in Goten on Thursday following an intelligence-led operation.
“According to a preliminary report, the victim was lured at Graf Raynet by an unknown group of individuals who introduced themselves to the victim as immigrant staff earlier this month,” South African Police Service 9SAPS said in a statement.
“The victims allegedly accompanied these individuals to the nearest police station, but never returned home,” police said.
The victim’s family reported the invitation to police after it was said the temptation had requested a ransom for the victim’s release.
A multidisciplinary team including members of the National Crime Intelligence, the Eastern Cape (DPCI -Hawks), the DPCI Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS), the Soweto Flying Squad, and the interdisciplinary team in which private security guards arrested two South Africans and two Pakistani citizens.
One kidnapped was arrested in Killarney and an uncertified firearm was seized during his arrest.
The team seized the vehicle during surgery.
The suspect led the team to the location of the victim in Evaton, and two more temptants were arrested.
Further investigation has led to the arrest of the fourth temptation in Benoni. The vehicle believed to have been used by the Crime Commission was also seized.
The four suspects are expected to appear soon before the magistrate’s court, but further investigation is underway.
