SAPS Special Task Force rescues a kidnapped Portuguese businessman in Joburg, leading to the arrest of five individuals.

A Portuguese businessman, who runs a well-known butchery in Johannesburg, has been rescued from the Nancefield Hostel in Soweto, where he was held captive.

The rescue was part of an intelligence-driven operation led by the elite Special Task Force (STF) unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The businessman, who owns a butchery in Waltloo, Johannesburg, was kidnapped last week in Southgate. He has since been reunited with his family. According to national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the man was kidnapped for ransom, but no payment was made due to the swift action of the police.

Following the report of the kidnapping, a dedicated team worked tirelessly to locate the victim alive. “A take-down operation was executed on Thursday afternoon, resulting in the arrest of two suspects believed to be the getaway drivers. Around 10:30 pm on Thursday, the team located the businessman tied up and guarded at the Nancefield Hostel,” said Mathe.

Another suspect was arrested at the hostel, and further investigation led the police to a house in White City, Soweto, where two more suspects were found. The kidnapped businessman’s bank cards and wallet were recovered from these suspects.

National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola praised the team for the successful operation and victim rescue. “Our teams are relentless in their efforts to rescue victims. From January to date, 13 businessmen and at least six students have been rescued without any ransom payments, thanks to the expertise and capabilities of our teams.

“In the past two years, more than 200 kidnappers have been arrested, demonstrating the commitment of our dedicated teams,” said General Masemola. “In the last six months alone, over 54 kidnappers operating in Gauteng, North West, Mpumalanga, and Free State have been apprehended,” he added.