Five arrested for kidnapping in Kliprivier

KLIPRIVIER - The SAPS says five men were arrested in Kliprivier, Vaal Triangle, for kidnapping a 72-year-old Indian national earlier this month. Spokesperson for the National Commissioner of Police, Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo, said in a statement that members of various units of the South African Police Service and the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks) were following leads on the kidnapping last week Thursday when they swooped in on an alleged kidnapping syndicate at a house in Kliprivier. There they arrested a total of five men, two of which are foreign nationals. The investigation team also recovered foreign military uniforms, several firearms including rifles and pistols – some of which were buried in the garden on the same property. Some of the long guns include two AK47 rifles, one Uzi submachine gun, and two pump-action shotguns. However, the kidnapped victim was only found after the team worked through yet another night and rescued the victim in the area of Kensington in Johannesburg during the early hours of Friday morning. The victim stated that he was not physically harmed but as a precautionary measure he was taken to hospital for a thorough medical examination.

Naidoo said three of the suspects are to be charged with kidnapping and they were expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrates Court on Monday, 27 July 2020. The remaining two, a man and a woman will be charged for being in possession of firearms unlawfully and they were expected to appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court also on Monday, 27 July 2020. The investigation team expects that more suspects will be arrested soon. Naidoo urged anyone who has any more information on this matter or crime in general to contact the SAPS on our Crime Stop number 086 00 10111. Information may also be communicated via the MySAPSApp. All information will be treated with strictest confidence and callers may remain anonymous.

PHOTOS: (@Sapoliceservice; News24)