Latest news with #MauroMucambeJunior
The Herald
3 hours ago
- The Herald
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. TimesLIVE
News24
9 hours ago
- News24
Mozambican kidnapping kingpin killed in Joburg as R27m ransom case unfolds
A wanted Mozambican kidnapping kingpin, Mauro Mucambe Junior, was killed in a shootout with police in Fourways. The police operation is linked to the kidnapping of a Pakistani businessman from Pretoria West. A R27-million ransom was demanded for his release. A suspected Mozambican kidnapping kingpin was killed in a shootout with police in Fourways, Johannesburg, amid an ongoing investigation into the abduction of a Pretoria West businessman. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe on Saturday said the Anti-Kidnapping Task Team had been following leads on the kidnapping of a Pakistani national who remains in captivity. A R27-million ransom demand was made to his family. The victim is a prominent wholesale supplier to hundreds of shops across Gauteng. Police first swooped on a residential complex in Carlswald, Midrand, where they arrested two suspects and seized a Mercedes-Benz and silver Pajero. They then moved to Fourways, where a shootout ensued. Supplied/SAPS 'One suspect was fatally wounded, and it was later confirmed that the deceased was 40-year-old Mauro Mucambe Junior, a wanted kidnapping mastermind in Mozambique,' said Mathe. 'A warrant for his arrest was issued in Maputo in August 2024.' Police recovered an unlicenced firearm with ten rounds of ammunition, four cellphones, and four bank cards during the operation. Since January 2024 to date, Mathe said the task team had arrested more than 170 criminals involved in kidnappings for ransom. More than R1.2 million had been recovered and more than 100 people rescued, mainly in Gauteng, and more than 40 vehicles used in kidnapping crimes were also seized, she added. The task team was also instrumental in tracking down Philangenkosi Makhanya, wanted in connection with the murder of Olorato Mongale, whose body was found in Lombardy West after she went missing following a date. The search continues for his alleged accomplice, Bongani Mthimkhulu.
eNCA
10 hours ago
- eNCA
Wanted Mozambican kidnapping kingpin killed in shootout
JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng police have shot and killed a wanted Mozambican kidnapping kingpin. Mauro Mucambe Junior was shot during a Johannesburg operation. The 40-year-old has been linked to multiple kidnappings. He was apprehended during a search for a kidnapped Pakistani businessman from Pretoria West, who remains in captivity with a ransom demand. A shootout ensued when police attempted the arrest. One unlicensed firearm and ten rounds of ammunition were recovered.
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- The Citizen
Mozambican kidnapping kingpin tracked to Fourways, killed in shoot-out
Fourways is trending on social media after a dramatic police anti-kidnapping operation unfolded in the suburb this week, resulting in the fatal shooting of a wanted Mozambican fugitive and the arrest of two suspects. The South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a media statement that an Anti-Kidnapping Task Team was following leads in the case of a kidnapped Pakistani businessman from Pretoria West, who remains in captivity. Read more: Police nab suspected ringleader of kidnapping for ransom syndicate It is said in the statement that a ransom demand has been made to his family. The high-level operation was launched at a residential complex in Carlswald, Midrand, where officers seized a Mercedes-Benz, a silver Mitsubishi Pajero, and arrested two suspects linked to the kidnapping. The team then moved to Fourways, where a shoot-out erupted as officers approached. One suspect was fatally wounded. He was later identified as 40-year-old Mauro Mucambe Junior, a kidnapping kingpin wanted in Mozambique and linked to multiple abductions. Also read: Police rescue kidnapped businessman, arrest 11 suspects, and seize R300m worth of drugs Police say a warrant for his arrest was issued by Maputo police in August 2024. An unlicensed firearm used by the suspect, along with 10 rounds of ammunition, was recovered at the scene. Police also seized four cellphones and four bank cards believed to be connected to the syndicate. '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. More than R1.2 million has been recovered,' said Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, police spokesperson. The police confirmed their confidence in the Anti-Kidnapping Task Team, which has made major strides in tackling ransom kidnappings this year. 'The same team recently made a breakthrough in the murder of Olorato Mongale by tracing Philangenkosi Makhanya. The manhunt for co-accused Bongani Mthimkhulu continues.' The operation has sparked praise across social media, with Fourways residents applauding SAPS for their swift and decisive action. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Child kidnapping prevention tips for all ages At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
10 hours 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
