Norwood police are investigating a kidnapping in which a high-flying Lebanese business executive was allegedly abducted by a blue-light gang in Houghton on 26 January and his employee forced to bring a R2.4-million ransom to a parking lot to secure his release.
According to police, the victim, whose name has been withheld, had left his place of work at 8.50am and was driving his dark-grey Mercedes Benz, registration number DT97LCGP, when he was stopped at the corner of Lloys Ellis and 2nd avenues by what he thought was a Metro police bakkie that flashed blue emergency lights.
Norwood Police Station spokesperson, Elliot Tshivhase said, “Upon stopping his car, one of the ‘officers’ approached [the victim] and asked for his driver’s licence, which he produced. But instead of letting him go, the ‘officer’ ordered the man to sit in the passenger seat and drove off, with the bakkie following.”
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When both cars eventually came to a halt, he was allegedly told to sit in the bakkie and was blindfolded. He was told, at this point, that he was being kidnapped and he would need to give them money to be released.
Upon hearing this, the victim allegedly contacted someone from his workplace, whose name was only given as Julia, via SMS, and arranged that she bring a sum of R2.4 million that was kept in a safe. Arrangements were made to bring the money to Bedfordview so that he could be released.
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When the money was delivered at the drop-off point, the two suspects apparently managed to grab the money and sped off in his car. He was released unharmed, Tshivhase said.
The suspects are still at large. If anyone has any information about the identity of the kidnappers or has seen the vehicle, please contact Norwood police on 011 483 4600.
If you see this vehicle, get in touch with the police and then send us a WhatsApp message on 079 439 5345.
