Latest news with #Mathe
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Wanted Mozambican kidnapper killed during raid in Johannesburg
Police have shot and killed a Mozambican man wanted in connection with multiple kidnappings. Mauro Mucambe Junior had an outstanding... Police have shot and killed a Mozambican man wanted in connection with multiple kidnappings. Mauro Mucambe Junior had an outstanding warrant of arrest which had been issued by Maputo police back in August 2024. Police's anti-kidnapping unit were tracing a kidnapped Pakistani businessman when they encountered the wanted 40-year-old at a residential complex in Fourways earlier this week. Police kill suspect The operation began in Midrand where officers seized a Mercedes-Benz and an SUV while securing the arrest of two kidnapping suspects. 'They proceeded to Fourways where the task team announced their arrival and a shoot-out ensued,' confirmed national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe. Following the incident, police identified the deceased suspect as a Mozambican kingpin wanted in connection with several kidnappings 'One unlicensed firearm used by the fatally wounded fugitive of justice was seized, including 10 rounds of ammunition. Four cellphones and four bank cards have also been seized,' confirmed Mathe. The kidnapped Pretoria businessman is still being held by his captors and a ransom demand was made made to his family. 'Police have full faith and confidence in the work of the anti-kidnapping task team to rescue the kidnapped businessman,' stated Mathe. Increase in kidnappings Kidnappings have surged in South Africa, with police making over 170 ransom-related arrests since January last year. 'More than R1.2 million has been recovered. More than 100 victims rescued mainly in Gauteng and more than 40 vehicles used in kidnapping crimes were also seized by the team,' police confirmed. Earlier this week, a female kidnapping victim was saved by passing Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers along the N1. The victim screamed for help from a moving car prompting a high speed chase that ended a few kilometers from the Gordon Road offramp. 'The officers rescued the woman, who confirmed she had been kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend from her workplace in Midrand, where she was on night shift,' confirmed JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla. NOW READ: Kidnapping on the rise: What to look out for in 2025
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- TimesLIVE
Wanted Mozambican kidnapper killed by cops in Fourways
In yet another success story for the national anti-kidnapping task team, a wanted Mozambican kidnapper was shot dead this week during a tracing operation in Johannesburg. National police spokesperson Brig Athlende Mathe said the anti-kidnapping task team traced a Mozambican kidnapping kingpin to a block of apartments in Fourways. 'The team was tracing a kidnapped Pakistani businessman from Pretoria West. He is still in captivity and the team is still searching for [him]. A ransom demand has been made to the businessman's family,' Mathe said. The tracing operation began at a residential complex in Midrand where they seized a Mercedes-Benz, a silver Pajero and arrested two kidnappers. 'They proceeded to Fourways where the task team announced their arrival and a shoot-out ensued. One suspect was fatally wounded and upon further investigation, it was discovered that 40-year-old Mauro Mucambe Junior is a wanted kidnapping kingpin in Mozambique where he has been linked to several kidnappings. His warrant of arrest was issued by Maputo police in August 2024.' One unlicensed firearm used by the fugitive was seized, including 10 rounds of ammunition. Four cellphones and four bank cards were also seized. 'The SAPS has full faith and confidence in the work of the anti-kidnapping task team to rescue the kidnapped businessman. Since January 2024, the team has arrested more than 170 criminals involved in kidnappings for ransom. More than R1.2m has been recovered. More than 100 victims were rescued mainly in Gauteng and more than 40 vehicles used in kidnapping crimes were seized by the team. 'The anti-kidnapping task team recently registered a breakthrough in the Olorato Mongale murder case where they led the tracing operation of Philangenkosi Makhanya. The search is still on for Bongani Mthimkhulu,' Mathe said.
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Mozambican kidnapping kingpin shot dead in Fourways
Police have shot and killed a Mozambican kidnapping kingpin to a block of apartments in Fourways, Johannesburg this week. The alleged kingpin was traced at a block of flats in Fourways, Johannesburg as the anti-kidnapping task team was searching for a kidnapped Pakistani businessman from Pretoria West. He is still in captivity and the team are still searching for the Pakistani national. A ransom demand has been made to the businessman's family. National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said a ransom demand was made to the Pakistani national's family. The team is still searching for the businessman who is still in captivity. Mathe said the team's tracing operation began at a residential complex in Carlswald, Midrand where they seized a Mercedes Benz, a silver Pajero and arrested two kidnappers. They proceeded to Fourways where the task team announced their arrival and a shoot-out ensued. 'One suspect was fatally wounded and upon further investigation, it was discovered that 40-year-old Mauro Mucambe Junior is a wanted kidnapping kingpin in Mozambique where he has been linked to several kidnappings. His warrant of arrest was issued by Maputo Police in August 2024. 'One unlicensed firearm used by the fatally wounded fugitive of justice was seized including 10 rounds of ammunition. Four cellphones, four bank cards have also been seized,' Mathe explained. Mathe said the SAPS has full faith and confidence in the work of the anti-kidnapping task team to rescue the kidnapped businessman. Since January 2024 to date, the team has arrested more than 170 criminals involved in Kidnappings for ransom and over R1.2 million has been recovered. In addition, more than 100 victims have been rescued mainly in Gauteng and more than 40 vehicles used in kidnapping crimes were also seized by the team. 'The anti-kidnapping task team recently registered a breakthrough in the Olorato Mongale murder case where they led the tracing operation of Philangenkosi Makhanya. The search is still on for Bongani Mthimkhulu.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Mozambican kidnapping kingpin shot, killed in police op
What started as a search for a kidnapped Pretoria West businessman ended in the fatal shooting of a 40-year-old Mozambican kidnapping kingpin in Fourways, Johannesburg, by police this week. According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the anti-kidnapping task team were tracing a kidnapped Pakistani national when their search led them to a residential complex in Carlswald, Midrand. 'They seized a Mercedes Benz and a silver Pajero and arrested two kidnappers,' Mathe said. 'Police proceeded to Fourways where the task team announced their arrival and a shoot-out ensued. One suspect was fatally wounded.' Mathe said that, upon further investigation, it was discovered that the deceased was 40-year-old Mauro Mucambe Junior, who is wanted in Mozambique, where he has been linked to several kidnappings. 'His warrant of arrest was issued by Maputo Police in August 2024. One unlicensed firearm used by the fatally wounded fugitive of justice was seized including 10 rounds of ammunition. Four cellphones and four bank cards have also been seized.' The kidnapped Pakistani businessman is still missing and a ransom has been demanded from the family, according to Mathe. 'We have full faith and confidence in the work of the anti-kidnapping task team to rescue the kidnapped businessman,' Mathe said. 'Since January 2024 to date, the team has arrested more than 170 criminals involved in kidnappings for ransom. More than R1.2 million has been recovered. More than 100 victims were rescued mainly in Gauteng and more than 40 vehicles used in kidnapping crimes were also seized by the team. 'The anti-kidnapping task team recently registered a breakthrough in the Olorato Mongale murder case where they led the tracing operation of Philangenkosi Makhanya. The search is still on for Bongani Mthimkhulu.' ALSO READ: Mamelodi family awaits DNA test results of charred body Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
09-06-2025
- The Citizen
Breakthrough in search for kidnapped Kamogelo Baukudi
Baukudi was kidnapped in Vereeniging. 19 year old Kamogelo Baukudi was kidnapped in Vereeniging on Thursday. Picture: Saps The South African Police Service (Saps) in the Free State has made a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the kidnapping of 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi. Police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele a 42-year-old police sergeant has been taken in for questioning and detained in Bloemfontein. Detention 'The man is expected to appear in court soon in connection with the case'. Provincial Commissioner of Saps in the Free State, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, has reiterated the police's unwavering commitment to uncovering the full truth behind Baukudi's kidnapping. 'This investigation has now entered a crucial phase, said Motswenyane. The involvement of any SAPS member in criminal acts will not be tolerated. Culprits will be held accountable – even if they are within our own ranks'. ALSO READ: Police launch search for teen kidnapped by fake cops in Vereeniging Task team A police task team was established to search for Baukudi, who was kidnapped last week by two suspects impersonating police officers. Baukudi was kidnapped in Vereeniging on Thursday, just before 12pm. Police spokesperson Colonel Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said a complainant identified as Daniel Malebatso arrived at Marti Du Plessis School in Fitchardpark as usual to fetch Baukudi, a Grade 11 pupil at the school. Mathe said the duo left the school premises with Baukudi, driving the Suzuki Ertiga. 'Whilst driving along Vereeniging Drive Erlichpark Extension, Daniel alleges that they heard a siren sound from behind, and they were pulled over by a White Toyota Hilux GD-6 Double Cab. 'Inside the Toyota Hilux, there were two unknown male persons; one wearing police uniform and the other blue tracksuits,' Mathe said. ALSO READ: Gauteng family pleads for safe return of their little daughter Blue lights According to Malebatso, the suspects' bakkie was fitted with blue lights on the grill and what looked like a police radio inside. Mathe said the suspect, wearing a police uniform, confronted Malebatso and informed him that the Suzuki Ertiga they were driving together with Baukudi was suspected of delivering drugs. 'The suspects then separated Daniel and Kamogelo and instructed Daniel to drive at the front whilst they followed from behind to Park Road Police Station. 'Both vehicles turned back and drove in westerly direction in Vereeniging Drive. Daniel alleges that a truck went in-between the Suzuki he was driving and the Toyota Hilux and he never saw it again,' Mathe said. Not found Malebatso told the police that one of the suspects spoke Sesotho fluently and even mentioned the name 'Thipe'. Mathe said Malebatso and Baukudi's mobile phones were found under the bridge on Ferrera Road. Baukudi has not been seen since and the police continues to prioritize his safe return as a matter of urgency. ALSO READ: Police rope in specialised team to probe murder of 14-year-old Lukhona Fose
