It’s been 111 days since 69-year-old businessman, Ismail Rajah had his freedom. Now, all this time later, he’s finally been rescued from his abductors.
An early morning in March 2022 changed Rajah’s life forever. He was kidnapped in Parow at Good Hope Construction – his company. Upon arriving at work, Rajah was met by people armed with AK-47s and packed into an Audi.
What happened after became a matter of police investigation and speculation. Daily Maverick classed the incident as a case of “rick pickings” where wealthy people become targets for kidnapping syndicates.
However, over a hundred days later, Rajah was rescued from a house in Khayelitsha where he was held captive. Eventually, ransom demands arose, leading the SAPS National Anti-Kidnapping Task Team to jump into the investigation, according to police spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe. The family was reportedly already on the way to Dubai to pay the money. However, no ransom ended up being paid.
The Special Task Force, Organised Crime Investigators and Crime Scene experts and private security all joined forces to locate Rajah and bring him home. As part of an intelligence-driven operation, they were successful around midnight on Wednesday, expresses Yusuf Abramjee.
Abramjee also took to Twitter to share the Khayelitsha house where Rajah was kept. It is believed that he was handcuffed and blindfolded throughout his captivity, reports Abramjee.
This is the house in Khayaletsha, Cape Town, where Ismail Rajah (69) was rescued by police & private security. He was kidnapped in Parow in March from his business. Rajah was handcuffed and blindfolded through this captivity. Four suspects have been arrested. No ransom was paid. pic.twitter.com/BIXFdLyzWK
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) June 29, 2022
According to Mathe, four men between ages 30-38 were apprehended. It is believed that two of them were Mozambican nationals, reports The Citizen.
The four will appear in the Parow Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, however, it is believed that the kingpin behind the operation hasn’t yet been arrested.
The latest arrest follows yet another arrest linked to a infamous kidnapping – that of Shireen Essop. A man linked to Essop’s abduction has reportedly been identified.
Also read:
Man linked to the alleged kidnapping of Shireen Essop arrested
Picture: @Abramjee