3 Mozambican men arrested for robbery, extortion and kidnapping

A multi-disciplinary team comprising Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District South African Police Service (SAPS) Detectives and Hostage Negotiators, Khuma Detectives, Provincial Crime Intelligence, Potchefstroom Flying Squad, District Illicit Mining Task Team, Klerksdorp Tactical Response Team (TRT), as well as Harmony Gold and BIU Security employees in the North West Province, arrested five suspects for house robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and unlawful possession of firearms on Friday, April 26, 2024.

These arrests followed an incident in which four armed males stormed a house at Extension 6, Khuma Location on Thursday evening, April 25, 2024.

The suspects allegedly threatened the mother, robbing her of R6,500 in cash and taking her 19-year-old son’s cell phone. Additionally, the son was kidnapped and placed in the family’s silver Toyota Corolla, which the suspects used to flee the scene.

The multi-disciplinary team successfully arrested two suspects, recovered the stolen cash, and seized a silver Volkswagen GTI suspected to have been used in the commission of the crimes.

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Preliminary investigations led the team to Extension 3, Alabama, where two males exited a white Toyota Camry and attempted to flee upon spotting the police. However, the team pursued and captured the pair after one of them was shot in the leg.

The kidnapping victim’s cell phone was found in the vehicle, and the victim was found unharmed in the boot of the Camry. The injured suspect was transported to the hospital and remains under police guard.

Further investigations led the team to a house at Extension 13, Kanana Location, where two 9mm Glock pistols and a .38 special revolver, all with serial numbers filed off, were seized.

A suspect was arrested for unlawful possession of firearms. Additionally, the family’s Toyota Corolla was found abandoned near Rex Flats at Extension 2, Jouberton Location.

The suspects, three Mozambican nationals and two South Africans, aged between 29 and 38, are expected to appear in the Stilfontein and Orkney Magistrates’ Courts on Monday, April 29, 2024.The police are also verifying the legal status of the Mozambican nationals in the country.

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