Cops bust ‘kidnapping mastermind’ in Centurion
"The 10 foreign nationals were travelling along the N1 when they were stopped by another vehicle. They were then allegedly forced into another vehicle and transported to Polokwane."
A 39-year-old alleged “kidnapping mastermind” was arrested over the weekend, with 10 kidnapping victims being rescued in the process, police said today.
Pakistani national Dilpazeer Azam was arrested in Centurion on Sunday during an intelligence-led operation, according to Lieutenant Colonel Robert Netshiunda.
Members of national crime intelligence, organised crime head office, Gauteng organised crime, the Johannesburg K9 unit, the Gauteng hostage negotiating team, Ekurhuleni police department SWAT and private security companies were all involved in the operation.
Netshiunda said the Polokwane magistrate’s court on Thursday remanded Azam in custody.
Azam was alleged to be the mastermind behind the kidnapping of 10 foreign nationals in Polokwane on January 26.
On the same day, police intelligence led them to a lodge in Bruma, Johannesburg where the 10 victims were rescued unharmed.
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“The foreign nationals were travelling along the N1 from Musina when they were stopped by another vehicle. They were then allegedly forced into another vehicle and transported to Polokwane, where they were reportedly handed over to the suspect near the Peter Mokaba stadium.”
Netshiunda said Azam first appeared before the Pretoria magistrate’s court on February 8, where his case was transferred to the Polokwane magistrate’s court.
“Preliminary investigations revealed the suspect was making calls to the families of the victims demanding ransom.”
He said Azam would be back in the Polokwane magistrate’s court on February 17 where he will make a formal bid for bail.
“Police investigations are continuing and more arrests are imminent,” said Netshiunda.
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