Five suspects were arrested by the Johannesburg Flying Squad and Crime Intelligence Gathering (CIG) in Jeppestown for kidnapping, extortion and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition on January 8.
Johannesburg Flying Squad spokesperson Sgt Desmond Subramoney said officers reacted on information received about an Ugandan woman allegedly kidnapped and held for ransom by her captors.
He did not disclose the ransom amount.
“A sting operation was set up and the woman’s husband met with the suspects at John Page Drive in Jeppestown to hand over the money. As the suspects took the money, the officers moved in and arrested them.”
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The ransom money was recovered and the suspects, two men and a woman, were taken to the police station for questioning.
“The three suspects gave police information about the location where the woman was held captive,” Subramoney said.
“The officers and the three suspects made their way to the address on Main Street in Jeppestown where the three identified the room where the victim was kept.”
Subramoney said two more suspects, both men, were arrested.
“Police broke down the door and found the victim with two men keeping guard. While searching the room, an unlicensed 9mm Z88 pistol with its serial number filed off was recovered.
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“The weapon was confiscated and booked into evidence for further police investigation. The other two suspects were arrested and the victim, who was unharmed, released into the care of her husband.”
The suspects, aged between 25 and 30, appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court.
Subramoney could not comment on the outcome of the court proceedings.
