Suspect in kidnapping, murder of Benoni businessman killed in Winchester Hills

A suspect linked to the kidnapping and murder of Benoni businessman Shanshudeen Faki (68) was shot and killed during a shoot-out with police at 18:30 last night (May 14).

According to the information received from Raymond Sambo, the media officer for the Johannesburg Flying Squad, officers from the SAPS Anti-Kidnapping Unit, tasked with investigating the kidnapping, traced one of the alleged perpetrators to the N12.

“The suspect was travelling in a gold Toyota Hilux on the N12 between the Klipriver and Xavier off-ramps in Winchester Hills.

“Members attempted to bring the vehicle to a stop, but the driver pointed a firearm at the officers, leading to a shootout,” Sambo explained.

“The suspect died on the scene. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a 9mm Browning and a Taurus .38 Special revolver, with the serial numbers of both filed off.”

Gauteng SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said officers also found the suspect in possession of Faki’s identity documents, a blue light and licenced number plates used in the commission of the kidnapping.

“The suspect can be linked to at least 29 cases of theft of motor vehicles and hijacking,” she said, adding that officers had arrested 250 suspects linked to cases of kidnapping for ransom since 2022.

Faki, the co-owner of Dawood Megastore in Dunswart, Boksburg, was kidnapped from the business’ parking area at 07:55 on May 11.

According to an eyewitness, Faki, a Benoni resident, arrived at the business on the corner of Main Reef Road and Commissioner Street and made his way to his usual covered parking spot.

A white VW Amarok with tinted windows drove in shortly after him, and it is alleged that four African men, all armed and wearing black, dragged Faki into the back of their vehicle.

The eyewitness shouted at the men to let mkhulu, as Faki was fondly known, go.

“One of them wearing a balaclava fired a shot into the air,” said the witness, who wished to remain anonymous.

“The Amarok sped off over the Dunswart bridge towards Van Dyk Road. The door was still open, and I could see mkhulu in the backseat.”

On May 13, Faki’s body was found in Leachville, Brakpan.

Information circulated by the Brakpan CPF Sector 4 chairperson, Jessy Naicker, stated that the discovery was made in a veld near Dalpark Secondary School on Rangeview Road.

According to Naicker, the body was wrapped in white material.

The Brakpan Herald reported on May 14 that a ransom demand of $3m (R55m) was allegedly made on May 12.

Investigations continue as the police intensify the search for more suspects.