NATIONAL NEWS - Carletonville detectives achieved a major victory in the fight against a rising wave of kidnappings affecting Carletonville and surrounding areas.
Carletonville Herald reports that their swift action led to the safe recovery of two victims and the arrest of three suspected kidnappers, believed to be connected to a wider crime network.
Kidnapping shocks Opal Street residents
The incident began on the evening of October 6, when a 30-year-old Mozambican national was abducted outside a house in Opal Street, Carletonville. The victim, a tenant at the property, had just returned home around 19:40 and was locking the gate when he was forcibly taken by unknown suspects in a white vehicle.
Another tenant inside the house heard his screams and witnessed the kidnapping before rushing to report the incident to the Carletonville police.
Detectives track down suspects across West Gauteng
The case was immediately taken up by Sergeant Malesela Kekana and a team of his colleagues. Acting on leads, detectives tracked the victim to Kagiso on October 7. They returned to the area on October 9, where they began following the suspects.
In a co-ordinated operation, Carletonville police blocked a road in front of the kidnappers’ vehicle, successfully arresting three suspects, despite one being injured and requiring hospitalisation.
Two victims released: One from Carletonville, one from Protea Glen
The Carletonville victim was released later that afternoon, along with a woman from Protea Glen, who had been kidnapped the day before. Both victims were found being held in a house in Tshepisong near Kagiso.
“We believe the kidnappers’ friends released the victims after hearing their accomplices had been arrested,” said Kekana.
Suspects linked to other cases
The three arrested suspects, two of whom are Mozambican nationals, appeared in the Oberholzer Magistrate’s Court on Monday, facing charges of kidnapping and extortion. Police have already linked them to similar cases in Roodepoort and Protea Glen.
During the investigation, officers also recovered a vehicle suspected to be stolen or hijacked at one of the suspect’s residences.
“Kidnappings are worrisome, and we are trying our best to arrest the suspects,” added Kekana.
Ongoing investigation
This breakthrough is part of a broader police effort to combat the growing trend of kidnappings for ransom and extortion across Gauteng. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately.
Thanks to the swift work of Carletonville detectives, two lives were saved and a dangerous criminal network has begun to unravel. This is not the first time that detectives from Carletonville arrested kidnappers.
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