Police Rescue 50 Foreign Nationals Held Hostage in Zakariyya Park Near Lenasia South

Police have rescued 50 foreign nationals aged between 12 and 50, who were being held hostage in Zakariyya Park, south of Johannesburg. 

A 49-year-old suspect has been arrested for kidnapping.

Police say they received information about the kidnapping on Thursday and went to the house where they rescued the Ethiopian nationals 

Spokesperson Brenda Muridili says the suspect will be appearing in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday. 

“It is reported that these 50 people, were brought into South Africa to be reunited with their families living in the country but on arrival the person who transported them demanded money from their families before their release.” 

Muridili says the foreign nationals are currently in awaiting to be processed by the Home Affairs Department and their families have been notified.