A Bangladeshi national who was kidnapped on February 11 has been found alive and unharmed.
It is believe the man was released by his captors on Saturday, February 27.
A police reservist and a teacher were arrested for their involvement in the kidnapping.
The Cleveland SAPS spokesperson, Constable Mpho Mashakane, said the man had no physical injuries when he was found but he did not remember where he was.
“After his release the victim regained consciousness at a fast food restaurant in Fordsburg,” she said.
Const Mashakane said the man then made his way to his family’s shop in Malvern where his brothers found him.
On Thursday, February 11, three men posing as police officers kidnapped the 26-year-old man from his family’s shop along Jules Street in Malvern.
“The men told their victim in the presence of his father and brother that they were from the Katlehong SAPS’ Family Unit. The men told the family they were there to arrest their son for rape. They gave the family a case number and told the family the case had been opened at the Katlehong SAPS. The men also left a number where the family could call the ‘police’ for an update about the case,” said Const Mashakane.
The victim’s brother reported the incident at the Cleveland SAPS.
“Cleveland SAPS officers called the number the family was given and the person who answered the phone confirmed that he was a policeman from Katlehong. He also confirmed that the man was arrested for rape,” said Const Malatji.
The family proceeded to the Katlehong SAPS to inquire about the case and the arrest.
“The family was told that the case number they were given was not for a rape. They were told it was for a person who was arrested for possession of dagga,” said Cost Mashakane.
A case of kidnapping was then opened at the Cleveland SAPS.
On Friday, February 12, the father of the victim received a call from someone demanding three-million Bangladeshi Taka, equal to R400 000.
At the time, Const Mashakane said the investigation led to the arrest of a teacher. He confessed to the kidnapping. He then led the police to his accomplice who is a reservist at the Edenpark SAPS.
“The pair was arrested and confessed. They told the investigating team that they were paid R2 000 for the job by another man from Bangladesh. They handed over the victim to this man after the victim was taken from his father’s shop,” she said.
She said a car that was used during the kidnapping, police uniforms and two toy guns were confiscated during the arrest of the men.
