Another Portuguese businessman has been rescued after being held captive for eight days in a Soweto residence after being kidnapped in a wave of crimes in which large ransoms are demanded.
A Portuguese businessman kidnapped last week in the Johannesburg region of South Africa was rescued alive by the South African Police (SAPS) in Soweto and five people were arrested, the security force announced on Friday.
The businessman was rescued from the Nancefield hostel in Soweto where he was being held captive and is now with his family.
The man, who owns Watloo butchery in Johannesburg, was kidnapped last week in South Gate.
“The man was kidnapped for ransom, but no payment was made due to the police’s quick response.”according to police authorities.
The rescue operation took place on Thursday and initially two suspects, believed to be the drivers of the getaway vehicles, were arrested, followed by another who was inside the hostel.
Police found two other suspects at a house in White City Soweto, who were in possession of the victims’ bank cards and wallet.
South African police had already rescued another Portuguese businessman from a house in Soweto earlier this week.
The 49-year-old businessman was located on Monday night, after eight days in captivityin a residence in Soweto, on the outskirts of Johannesburg, where he was “tied up”.
According to SAPS National Commissioner Fannie Masemola, 13 businessmen and at least six students have been rescued without paying ransom since January.
“This is a result of the experience and capabilities of our teams. Over the last two years, over 200 kidnappers have been arrested and all thanks to the efforts of our dedicated teams,” said Masemola.
Over a six-month period, more than 54 kidnappers operating in Gauteng, the North West, Mpumalanga and the Free State were arrested.
South Africa is facing a rise in kidnapping crimes where large sums of money are demanded to ransom victimsaccording to South African police.
Since January this year, at least 14 Portuguese-South Africans have been kidnapped in Gauteng province, the epicentre of kidnappings and high crime in the country, according to the leader of the Portuguese-South African non-governmental organisation Portuguese Forum of South Africa, Manny Ferreirinha.
Contacted by Lusa, the Portuguese ambassador to South Africa, José da Costa Pereira, said on Tuesday that in 2023, At least 18 Portuguese-South Africans have been kidnapped in the Gauteng region. where Johannesburg, the economic capital, and Pretoria, the country’s capital, are located.
According to data from the South African government, there are around 200,000 Portuguese citizens and nearly half a million people of Portuguese descent living in South Africa.
Source: Observadora
