Seven men are expected to appear before the Pretoria Central Magistrate’s Court on Friday after they allegedly kidnapped a businessman from Hercules in Pretoria on Saturday.

The suspects face charges of kidnapping and extortion.

The businessman was snatched at his business premises on Saturday.

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said a multidisciplinary team, which has been established to investigate kidnapping cases in which ransom has been demanded, came to the businessman’s rescue.

Netshiunda said the investigating team responded to intelligence information on Tuesday and arrested one foreign national along the N12 route towards Potchefstroom.

He said the man was found in possession of bank cards and a driver’s licence that belonged to another victim, reportedly kidnapped in Gugulethu, Western Cape in 2021.

Mannan Abdul (35) kidnapped from his business in Hercules Pretoria. pic.twitter.com/CW4cVLzqBo

— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) June 5, 2022

“Further investigations led the police to Crystal Park in Ekurhuleni where the businessman was rescued and three suspects who were found safeguarding him were subsequently arrested. One firearm and a toy gun were found on the premises.

“Follow-up investigations led the police to Tembisa where three more suspects were arrested.

“Two suspects were arrested at the Tswelopele Section whereas another one was nabbed at Zone 8, Winnie Mandela Section.”

Netshiunda said the suspects allegedly contacted the victim’s family and demanded a ransom.

A team comprising members of the Head Office Crime Intelligence, Potchefstroom Highway Patrol, Gauteng and North West Provincial Operational Co-ordination, Tshwane Hostage Negotiating Team and private security worked around the clock to ensure that the businessman was rescued unharmed.