Bank executive kidnapped in Edenvale rescued, five arrested

A 54-year-old bank executive who was kidnapped has been reunited with his family.

The man, reported missing in Edenvale, was rescued on Thursday after a multi-location tactical operation.

Security company Vision Tactical said police also arrested five suspects in connection with the kidnapping of the executive and two other victims.

Arrests

Vision Tactical said the victim’s blood-stained vehicle was found in Ivory Park

“One suspect was caught at OR Tambo trying to flee with the victim’s phone and a large sum of funds transferred from his account. A raid in Tembisa led to three more arrests and the recovery of stolen vehicles

“A second raid uncovered not one, but two victims held hostage, including a hijacking victim. A fifth suspect was arrested at the scene. The third victim was later recovered and also reunited with his family,” Vision Tactical said.

Vision Tactical added that all the victims received immediate medical care and forensic teams processed the scenes.

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Businessmen rescued

Last month, two businessmen were rescued hours after they were hijacked and kidnapped in Midrand, north of Johannesburg.

The duo were abducted and rescued by the South African Police Service (Saps) Anti-Kidnapping Task Team.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the businessmen were hijacked by a group of criminals driving a silver/grey Hyundai i10 on the premises of a car rental company.

“They were thereafter kept in a bush along the R21 where they were forced to hand over their bank cards and PINs. The kidnappers then began withdrawing large sums of money from their bank accounts.”

Manhunt

Mathe said a multidisciplinary team led by the SAP’s anti-kidnapping task team were alerted and rushed to the scene.

“The two male victims were found in dense bushes and rescued. Their hijacked Range Rover was later recovered in Tembisa.”

Mathe said a manhunt has been launched for the kidnappers who evaded arrest.

ALSO READ: Police rescue two businessmen in Midrand after kidnapping ordeal