IN a dramatic police operation that unfolded in Kensington, Johannesburg, five Ethiopian nationals were arrested following the kidnapping of a fellow Ethiopian businessman. The suspects appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrate Court on Wednesday and were remanded in custody.
According to a statement released by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), the victim was abducted at gunpoint on Sunday evening in Norwood, Johannesburg, by assailants driving a Toyota Prado.
A joint operation involving the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Unit, Johannesburg Metro Police Department, Vision Tactical, and Cap Specialised Services tracked the victim to a house in Kensington. Upon executing a search and seizure warrant on Monday, a shootout erupted between authorities and the suspects, resulting in one suspect being fatally wounded while another was apprehended at the scene.
Authorities recovered two firearms – an AK47 and a shotgun – along with ammunition from the premises.
Intelligence gathered during the operation led police to Sophiatown, where four additional suspects were intercepted while driving a Toyota Auris. A search of the vehicle revealed jewellery belonging to the kidnapped businessman, leading to their immediate arrest.
The five suspects now in custody are Zayd Gangoot (23), Mohammed Tourog (28), Tofik Shifa (32), Mohammed Akbar (37), and Emmanuel Bizanama (30). They face charges of kidnapping, attempted murder, and illegal possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase, spokesperson for the Hawks, emphasised the significance of the arrest: “This operation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to combating the rising tide of kidnapping for ransom in South Africa. These crimes not only devastate families but also undermine our national security.”
The case has been postponed to Wednesday, March 19, 2025, for verification of the suspects’ addresses and legal status in South Africa.
This incident comes amid growing concerns about kidnapping for ransom in South Africa, particularly targeting business owners from foreign communities. Authorities have reported a troubling increase in such cases over the past year, with criminal syndicates specifically targeting expatriate business owners perceived to have access to substantial funds.
The Ethiopian Embassy in Pretoria has been notified of the incident and is reportedly providing consular assistance to both the victim and the accused.
