Gauteng police have arrested four members of a kidapping syndicate that targets members of the public based on their sexual orientation.
The suspects were handcuffed by several authorities including the JMPD K-9 unit, Gauteng Traffic, Tracker Connect and members of the private security industry at a restaurant in Parktown on Wednesday night.
App to lure victims
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said those who have been targeting the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community will use dating apps designed for this community to lure victims to secluded places before kidnapping and robbing them.
“On February 12, 2023, a 26-year-old man who was talking to one of the suspects was thrown into the area where he was robbed, kidnapped and robbed of his personal belongings including bank cards. The suspects continued to buy several of the victim’s bank cards.
“As soon as the matter was reported to the Mondeor police station, the Anti-Kidnapping Task Team operated on the information and raided the four people who met at the restaurant on the same day of the kidnapping,” said Mathe.
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Arrest
Mathe added that the suspects were found with the victim’s belongings including bank cards, wallets, bags and mobile phones.
“33-year-old Thabo Ndlovu, 27-year-old Ndumiso Mahlangu, 27-year-old Sibusiso Tshabalala and 25-year-old Elson Nyati have been arrested and have appeared in the Booysens magistrate’s court. They are each charged with kidnapping, kidnapping and extortion.”
“The victim’s stolen vehicle, a Mercedes C180, has not been found and the search for the vehicle continues. The victims were rescued and have since been reunited with their families,” said Mathe.
Zimbabwe kidnapping mastermind arrested
Last month, the police arrested five people, including the king of Zimbabwe, for their involvement in the kidnapping of a Midrand businessman.
A multidisciplinary team led by the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force located the group consisting of a Zimbabwean man, his wife and his girlfriend.
The Midrand businessman was kidnapped on January 18, 2023.
Also read: Zimbabwean mastermind among five arrested for kidnapping businessman