MEDIA STATEMENT FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE(SAPS)
To: All media
PORTUGUESE BUSINESSMAN RESCUED, ONE ARRESTED
Pretoria, 02 July 2024; In the last six months, 12 businessmen and six students who had been kidnapped for ransom have been rescued by a multidisciplinary team led by the South African Police Service(SAPS) anti-kidnapping task team. A 49-year-old Portuguese businessman is the latest victim to be rescued by the team.
The SAPS anti-kidnapping task team including other law enforcement agencies and private security have been working around the clock to find the businessman, safe and unharmed. The man was kidnapped from his business premises in Florida on 24 June 2024 On Monday evening, 01 July 2024, the team traced the victim to a home in Snake Park, Soweto where he had been in captivity.
On the same evening, members also arrested one of his captors in Turfontein, Johannesburg.
The 39-year-old suspect is believed to belong to a syndicate that is responsible for at least four other kidnappings related to businessmen in the Johannesburg District.
The team is currently tracing suspects who were working together with the suspect.
In the cases where the businessmen and students had been rescued , no ransom payment was made.
From January 2024 to date ,49 kidnappers who demanded ransom payment from families of victims have been arrested in Gauteng, North West and the Free State.
21 vehicles used in the commission of these crimes have been confiscated and 8 firearms have also been seized.
The SAPS is confident that working together with all stakeholders and community tip-offs, it will continue to takedown more syndicates believed to be behind a spate of kidnappings for ransom across the country.
Media enquiries: Brigadier Athlenda Mathe 0820408808
Success Report:
Kidnapping of Mark Ramos
Florida Cas: 398/06/2024
Incident Date: 24th June 2024
Anti-Kidnapping Unit: • SAPS - Crime Intelligence (Counter & State Security) • SAPS - Provincial Organised Crime Detectives- Gauteng • SAPS - Gauteng DPC: Tracking 2 • SAPS - Anti Gang Unit • SAPS - LCRC • Gauteng Traffic - Saturation Unit • JMPD - TRU and K9 • VISION TACTICAL • SSG Security • Delta Blue Security • CAP Security • Fidelity : Specialised Services • Help24 • GABA & K9 Law Enforcement • BSG
Summary:
On June 24, 2024, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit received information regarding the abduction of Mr. Mark Ramos from his business premises.
The team promptly gathered all available information from the scene, including intelligence related to vehicles and witness statements. The suspects contacted a family member, demanding a ransom of ten million rand for Mr. Ramos’s release. The family was guided by the members to maintain communication with the suspects.
Intelligence efforts led to the identification and arrest of a suspect in Turffontein.
SAP14 : xx/07/2024
BONGANI DUBE (39yrs)
Further investigation resulted in the rescue of the victim at a house located in Snake Park, Soweto, Johannesburg. No ransom was paid.
All necessary resources were deployed to the scene. The victim was transported to a medical facility for further medical assessment.
Further investigation are underway to link suspects to kidnapping of:
Mannie Texieria
Roodeport Cas: 940/5/2024
LUIS DE FREITA
Sandringham CAS: 208/10/2023
ELVIO DA CRUZ MENESES JARDIM
JHB Central Cas : 137/10/2023
JUSTIN PONTUS
Roodepoort Cas : 701/09/2023
MANUEL ARLINDO RODRIGUES SPINOLA
JEPPE CAS: 388/05/2023
MARIO DE AZEVEDO MAIA & EZEQUIEL PONTERABIM
BRAMLEY CAS: 125/03/2023
