A Mozambican kidnapping kingpin is arrested after being suspected of involvement in a series of kidnappings and ransom demands.
A Mozambican man, the suspected mastermind of a lucrative kidnapping ring, is now under arrest.
Interpol in South Africa has taken control of the alleged criminal, believed to have organized kidnappings for ransom in Mozambique, reaching several million dollars.
The country is said to be affected by the phenomenon for the past 20 years, targeting business people and their families in particular.
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Is Mozambican Kingpin Arrested?
A Mozambican kidnapping kingpin accused of crimes in South Africa and Mozambique is arrested in South Africa.
According to Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe, 50-year-old Esmael Malude Ramos Nangy was arrested at an identified address in Centurion, Tshwane, near the South African capital of Pretoria.
Authorities were searching for the alleged criminal wanted for several cases in Mozambique and arrested him at an upmarket estate in Centurion on the evening of January 7.
The team who made the arrest also consisted of the special task force called Crime Intelligence and Organized Crime. She added that some items were seized during the arrest.
The team seized a 9mm firearm, 14 9mm cartridges, five mobile phones, several South African bank cards, and Mozambique sim cards.
A multi-disciplinary task team arrested him, acting on an arrest warrant and an extradition request by the Mozambican government in July last year.
Mathe also mentioned that the Police worked tirelessly to apprehend the suspect.
Abductions and kidnappings for financial gain have exploded in neighboring South Africa, already notorious for its high crime rate.
Where Is He Now, Jail Or Prison?
The Mozambican man arrested concerning a kidnapping string is now under Police custody.
He was arrested in Pretoria and will appear before the Tembisa magistrate’s court, where extradition processes will start, as he is wanted in neighboring Mozambique.
The suspect is set to appear in the Tembisa Magistrates on Monday, January 9. The authorities said extradition proceedings would begin on the same day.
Mozambique is now asking for 50-year-old Esmael Malude Ramos Nangy’s extradition.
A team from over six Police stations arrested the alleged kidnapping boss at an upmarket estate in Centurion on Saturday evening.
They were acting on an arrest warrant and extradition request from the government of Mozambique in July 2022.
The 50-year-old Mozambican national is allegedly linked to multiple kidnappings in South Africa and Mozambique, in which the ransom demands came from Mozambique.
According to a Police report, he was identified as the kingpin operating international kidnappings for ransom in multiple cases since 2018.
The report noted that information about the possible location of the man moving between Gauteng, Cape Town, and Mozambique was received from a confidential source.
The Crime Intelligence’s Kidnapping Unit and other role players conducted investigations, while several surveillance operations were carried out in Gauteng, Western Cape, and Mpumalanga to locate the suspect.
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Another Similar Case In Recent Times
In a similar incident earlier this month, Mpumalanga Police arrested a 43-year-old Zimbabwean national.
He was charged with kidnapping, extortion, illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, and armed robbery.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, said the suspect was arrested at Botleng, Delmas.
He stated that the arrest came after a 32-year-old victim was kidnapped, and ransom was demanded for his release. SAPS informed that the victim had visited a friend in Botleng.
Mohlala said, “He left just before 10 pm. In less than 30 minutes, the friend received a call from his visitor’s phone, who could be heard screaming that he had been abducted.”
A team of investigators, along with SAPS crime intelligence and hostage negotiators, dealt with the matter.
