WeeklySA_AdminSCOURGE: Wave of kidnappings in Mozambique and SA have generated nearly R600 million for extortion gangs since 2014…
By WSAM Reporter and AIM
Mozambican police have issued international warrants of arrest for three armed and dangerous locals who have been identified as the masterminds of kidnappings that have plagued the country’s cities and illegally generated nearly 33 million dollars in money laundering in the past ten years.
A spokesperson for the Mozambique’s National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC), Hilario Lole, cited by Radio Mozambique, confirmed that they had identified the masterminds of the kidnappings who were now secretly living in South Africa.
A massive manhunt have been launched by the Mozambican authorities who were working in close coordination with the Internal Police (Interpol) to arrest the three men who have been described as armed and dangerous. The authorities have not named the suspects.
The spate of kidnappings in Mozambique in the past twelve years have forced nearly one hundred business people and their families to flee the country as they feared for their lives.
“These three are individuals we have already identified. International arrest warrants have already been issued because we have information that they are on South African territory. Work is being done with the forces of that country, in close coordination with INTERPOL, to facilitate their neutralization and subsequent accountability on Mozambican territory”, Lole said.
The search for the three masterminds has been intensified amid the grim kidnapping statistics that were also recently released by South Africa’s Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, who also raised concern about the surge in the number of kidnappings in this country. Reports suggested that South Africa was fast becoming one of the world’s hotspots for kidnap for ransom crimes.
The kidnapping statistics for the 4th quarter of the 2023-2024 period and the first quarter of 2024-2025 recorded 135 ransom demands with most kidnappings in Gauteng (81) and KwaZulu-Natal with 15 cases. Kidnapping incidents were continuing at an alarming rate with 3641 cases registered in South Africa during the first quarter of 2023-2024.
‘’We must confront this challenge with unwavering resolve and strategic precision. The grim statistics reflect the severity of the challenges we face. These numbers reflect the stark realities of our citizens – their fears, losses and their hopes for a safer tomorrow’’, said Mchunu. Nearly 300 suspects have been arrested in the last two years for their alleged involvement in kidnapping incidents.
Lole said while they were in hot pursuit of the three masterminds, the police were also on the trail of four armed individuals who this week kidnapped a 24 year- old man, in broad daylight, in central Maputo.
The victim is the son of a local Asian businessman. According to eyewitnesses, the victim was forced into a car belonging to the kidnappers in the early hours of Monday morning near the Hotel Términus.
The chairperson of the Mozambican Muhammadan Community, Salim Omar, recently said the businesses of Asian origin no longer trusted the police because they continued to be threatened by their tormentors.
According to the Strategic Analysis Report (RAE), published by the Mozambican Financial Intelligence Office (GIFiM), which is a specialist unit in the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the wave of kidnappings in the country had generated over 33 million dollars in money laundering since 2014.
This money was concealed in various accounts, held by the suspects, close relatives of the suspects and companies, controlled by the suspects and or their close relatives, followed by the illicit export of capital under various pretexts with a view to concealing its criminal origin.
Kidnapping for ransom was simply criminals looking for financial gain by targeting wealthy individuals, businesses people or tourists who were perceived to have the means to pay a significant ransom, according to Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Services Group in South Africa.
Criminal organizations such as drug cartels, terrorist groups and criminal gangs targeted people they could gain financially from. Political extremists may also target government officials, diplomats or foreigners to advance their agendas or make demands.
The kidnapping hotspots in South Africa included Gauteng, which topped the list followed by KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape and North West. The most dangerous spots in Gauteng were identified as Vosloorus, Tembisa, Midrand, Protea and Orange Farm.
Bartmann said to avoid being a victim to kidnappers, individuals must always be vigilant around their personal safety. He also provided the following important tips :
• Do not be flashy with expensive jewellery and other items in public,
• Vary your routines or periodically change your travel routes,
• Do not engage with strangers,
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially when leaving and arriving home,
• Secure your home , particularly the perimeter, with electric fencing, proper lighting and CCTV,
• If threatened, attract attention.
Approached for comment, SAPS spokesperson Noxolo Kweza referred WSAM to SA’s Interpol office at SA police headquarters. However, spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe had not responded to WSAM inquiry about a reported alert from Mozambican authorities to the country’s police regarding the activities of the alleged masterminds and their wanted status.
