A wanted Mozambican kidnapping kingpin has been arrested, the South African Police Service (Saps) has confirmed.
Esmael Malude Ramos Nangy was arrested by the police together with Interpol, after a raid last Saturday at an “upmarket estate” in Centurion, Pretoria.
The suspect is accused of organizing kidnappings in Mozambique that have generated millions of dollars over the past two decades.
READ ALSO: Kidnapping mastermind Faizal Charloos brother arrested in Lenasia
“On Saturday afternoon, the team also comprising the special task force, crime intelligence and organized crime attacked a 50-year-old man at an identified address in Centurion where he was arrested,” the police said in a statement.
“The team is acting on an arrest warrant and extradition request from the Mozambican government.”
The police seized firearms, cartridges, five mobile phones, as well as several bank cards and SIM cards.
Ramos Nangy is set to appear in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Faizal Charloos
Last November, police arrested a 43-year-old man suspected of having ties to alleged Mozambican kidnapping kingpin Faizal Charloos.
Charloos had a cell phone smuggled into his cell and used it to communicate with his alleged accomplices outside, according to police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Robert Netshiunda.
“Intelligence information shows the police to the place in Lenasia where Charloos is alleged to have been arrested. He was found to be in possession of a mobile phone which preliminary investigations showed that he used to send money to Charloos through his e-wallet and also make other payments as instructed by Charloos,” Netshiunda said.
READ MORE: Abducted businessman Ranga Gova in Zimbabwe after being found
Netshiunda further suggested that more arrests would follow.
“The suspect is also in possession of a white Toyota Hilux car with a fake registration plate attached. Further investigation confirmed that the vehicle was stolen in Lyttelton in July 2016. Police followed up on several leads and more arrests could not be ruled out.
Charloos was arrested on March 18 with five other suspects, including his wife, Sadiya, for their alleged involvement in a series of kidnapping cases and for harassing businessmen in Gauteng.
Kidnapping for ransom has also exploded in recent years in South Africa, already notorious for its high crime rate.
Additional reporting by Faizel Patel