The police successfully extradited a Ugandan fugitive who was living in Midrand and wanted for a kidnapping and murder he had committed in his home country.
The extradition was done with the help of the Interpol office in Pretoria, who was contacted by the Ugandan Department of Justice, informing them that Patrick Kasaija, also known as Patrick Agaba, was believed to be living the Johannesburg area.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Vish Naidoo said, “On 7 February 2018 in Uganda, a victim was kidnapped by unknown persons while on her way home from work. The culprits telephoned her family demanding a ransom of one million dollars. The victim’s family paid some of the money but their daughter was not returned.”
Naidoo added, “On 26 February 2018, the victim’s mutilated body was recovered dumped along a road. The Ugandan authorities have gathered sufficient evidence which incriminates Patrick Kasaija’s in the kidnapping and murder of the victim.
“On 7 March 2018 the fugitive, Mr Patrick Kasaija was arrested by members of the Interpol, Crime Intelligence and the National Investigation Unit at his residential address in Midrand.”
Kasaija appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on 7 March 2018. The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development granted an order that he should be extradited to Uganda.
Naidoo said, “The Justice and Correctional Services of the Republic of South Africa, in terms of the Extradition Act, ordered that the fugitive Mr Patrick Kasaija be surrendered to the Republic of Uganda.
“This extradition was as a result of the good collaboration and cooperation between the South African law enforcement agencies and Ugandan authorities.
This extradition should send a message to all criminals that they cannot commit crimes elsewhere in the world and use South Africa as a hiding place.”
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