Police committed to crackdown on Gauteng kidnapping syndicates
In the past two weeks, the anti-kidnapping task team in Johannesburg has arrested close to 30 people for kidnappings.
Picture: @SAPoliceService/X
JOHANNESBURG - Police continue to crack down on kidnapping syndicates in Gauteng.
On Wednesday, 14 people appeared in the Lenasia Magistrates Court for their involvement in the kidnapping of a Sowetan businessman on Sunday.
ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE | Interpol's most wanted among kidnappers arrested in Gauteng
The accused were arrested at three separate locations in and around Johannesburg on Monday.
In the past two weeks, the anti-kidnapping task team in Johannesburg has arrested close to 30 people for kidnappings.
Eyewitness News recently reported a spate of kidnappings in Johannesburg, in which Portuguese butchery owners were being targeted.
Despite dozens of ongoing kidnapping cases, police are attempting to root out syndicates, especially those targeting businessmen and demanding large ransoms.
Between October and December, kidnappings in Gauteng increased by 20%, with the province accounting for more than half of all the kidnapping cases countrywide.
Two Chinese nationals, who were wanted by international authorities since 2022, were among the accused who appeared in court on Wednesday.
The case against ten of the accused has been postponed to Friday, while four others, who face kidnapping charges, will appear again next week.