Lenasia businessman reunited with family after kidnapping ordeal

A Lenasia businessman has been reunited with his family, three days after he was kidnapped. 

Luqman Kazi, a 34-year-old businessman was kidnapped while on his way to work on Tuesday, 15 March 2022. 

Following the kidnapping, a multidisciplinary team was assembled to rescue the victim and apprehend the kidnappers.  

During a midnight take down operation on Thursday 17 March 2022, the team simultaneously pounced on four identified addresses. 

Police said at the first address in Lawley officer found and rescued the victim, seized a 9mm unlicensed firearm and arrested three suspects. 

At the other addresses in Lenasia, the team arrested three more suspects which include a 43-year-old Mozambican national believed to be the mastermind behind a number of kidnapping cases in Gauteng.  

Police also found and seized R6 million in cash which is believed to be ransom paid on other kidnapping cases, an unlicensed AK47 rifle, ammunition, one hijacked motor vehicle, a VW polo that was utilised in the kidnapping of the businessman, military grade signal jammers as well as various vehicle registration number plates. 

All six are facing charges of kidnapping, extortion, money laundering, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition as well as possession of a hijacked motor vehicle.  

The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Khehla Sitole has applauded the team’s persistent efforts. 

“This success would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the dedication and persistent efforts of members from the Crime Intelligence National Kidnapping Task Team, the Special Task Force (STF), Organised Crime Unit, Gauteng Flying Squad and Gauteng Province Saturation Unit, EMPD, Visible Policing and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI). We also appreciate the assistance by private security who continue to be our eyes and ears”. 

In another unrelated kidnapping case, an intelligence driven operation led to the rescue of four Bangladesh nationals in Betrams, Gauteng. 

The four were kidnapped on Thursday, 10 March 2022 in Musina, Limpopo. Two Ethiopian nationals have since been arrested.