Police on Thursday rescued a 55-year-old Pakistani businessman and apprehended four alleged kidnappers, two South Africans and two Pakistani nationals, at various places throughout Gauteng as part of an intelligence-led operation.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said during the operation, the officers seized an illegal handgun as well as a vehicle.

"According to a preliminary report, the victim was kidnapped in Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape earlier last month by an unknown group of individuals who introduced themselves to the victim as immigration officials.

"The victim allegedly accompanied these individuals to the nearest police station, but never returned home," said Van Wyk.

The victim's relatives reported the kidnapping to authorities after the kidnappers allegedly demanded a ransom for the victim's release.

Intelligence led a multi-disciplinary team that included members of National Crime Intelligence, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in the Eastern Cape (DPCI - HAWKS), DPCI TOMS, the Soweto Flying Squad, and private security to apprehend a kidnapper in Killarney.

This suspect led the investigators to the victim's location in Evaton, where two further kidnappers were apprehended. Further inquiry led to the arrest of the fourth alleged kidnapper in Benoni.

The four accused are likely to appear in a Magistrates' Court soon. Investigations are ongoing.

In a similar case, an Eastern Cape businesswoman who was kidnapped was rescued after six days in February. Juan Yang, 43, was allegedly kidnapped on February 13, 2025, while on her way to Kenako Mall to close one of her business premises.

Police said Yang’s vehicle, a white Volkswagen Polo, was later found abandoned in Sakela Street, KwaZakhele.

The matter was transferred to the Hawks. "Her sudden disappearance and loss of communication prompted an immediate response from law enforcement," said Hawks spokesperson Colonel Avele Fumba.

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