Africa-Press – Mozambique. 2021/11/28
Pretoria – The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Khehla John Sitole has lauded the persistent efforts of a multi-disciplinary team after a Mozambican national was rescued from his captors at an identified address in Heidelberg, Gauteng.
Mr Jahyr Abdula and his friend was kidnapped on 15 October 2021.
The pair had just entered Johannesburg from Mozambique in a three vehicle motorcade when they were pulled over by their captors who were driving a blue BMW sedan fitted with blue lights and sirens. The pair were taken from their motorcade and held captive.
His friend was rescued on the same day by various officials from law enforcement agencies and private security companies. During this operation, one suspect was apprehended and is still in police custody.
The search for Mr Abdula continued but ended on Friday, 26 November 2021 when a multidisciplinary team consisting of members of the SAPS Crime Intelligence, the DPCI, Special Task Force (STF), SAPS Airwing, SAPS JHB flying squad and security companies successfully pounced on an identified address and rescued the traumatised and malnutritioned victim.
A manhunt is still underway to arrest the remaining kidnappers.
The National Commissioner has recently sanctioned a new intervention to addressing kidnappings and has hailed the team’s persistent efforts, through this intervention, in rescuing the kidnapped victim who had been in captivity for 37 days.
“We applaud all involved for the safe return of Mr Abdula and his friend. We are intensifying efforts to arrest the remaining suspects. We will leave no stone unturned up until we have all suspects in police custody”, said General Sitole.
The parents of Mr Jahyr Abdula, Salimo and Maria Abdula have thanked all involvedfor rescuing their son.
“We thank almighty Allah for accepting our prayers. We wish to express our sincere gratitude to the South African Police Service, all private security companies that were involved, the Mozambiquan government. Our family is thankful that justice is taking its course. We are looking forward to healing and will appreciate some privacy”, said Salimo and Maria Abdula.
Members of the public are advised to contact the Crime Stop Hotline number on 08600 10111 and/or download the My SAPS App to share any information that may lead to the arrest of the remaining captors.
All information will be treated with strictest confidence and informers may remain anonymous.
Ends
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