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Surveillance camera image of Bhikoo’s kidnapping on 11th
January. |
Almost a month after being kidnapped, a popular Lenasian
businessman was earlier today rescued.
On the morning of 11th January, renowned entrepreneur Yaseen Bhikoo
had just finished reading his Fajr Salah (morning prayer) and was seen
conversing with a friend on their way back home in Northern Place, Lenasia when
suddenly, a silver Mercedes Benz ML appeared and three armed men emerged from
it and apprehended Bhikoo, who put up a valiant fight to try to evade them,
sadly to no avail. They shoved him into the vehicle and drove off onto the R558
towards Lawley.
Popular anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee tweeted today: “Yasin Bhiku, an
Indian national, who was kidnapped in Lenasia JHB on 11 January, has been
freed.”
Bhikoo’s family expressed gratitude at his safe return and thanked all those who
supported them during the ordeal.
Meanwhile, in another development, there was also the arrest of an alleged kidnapping
mastermind in Centurion.
According to Lt. Col. Netshiunda of the South African Police Services: “The
Polokwane Magistrate’s Court has on Thursday, 10 February 2022 remanded in
custody a man who is alleged to be the mastermind behind the kidnapping of 10
foreign nationals in Polokwane in January 2022.
“Dilpazeer Azam, a 39-year-old Pakistani national was arrested in Centurion on
Sunday, 6 February 2022 during an intelligence-led operation comprising of
members of National Crime Intelligence, Head Office Organised Crime, Gauteng
Organised Crime, Johannesburg K9 Unit, Gauteng Hostage Negotiating Team,
Ekurhuleni Police Department SWAT and private security companies.
“The suspect first appeared before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on 8
February 2022 where his case was transferred to the Polokwane Magistrate’s
Court. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the suspect was making
calls to the families of the victims demanding ransom.
“It is reported that on 26 January 2022 ten foreign nationals were travelling
along the N1 from Musina when they were stopped by another vehicle. The victims
were allegedly loaded into another vehicle and were transported to Polokwane
where they were allegedly handed to the suspect near the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
“On Thursday, 10 February 2022 the investigating team operationalised
intelligence information which led them to a lodge in Bruma, Johannesburg where
the ten victims were rescued unharmed.
“The suspect will be back in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on 17 February
2022 where he will make a formal bid for bail. Police investigations are
continuing and more arrests are imminent.”
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The 10 victims who were rescued in Bruma. |
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