Cabinet has welcomed the arrest of a 40-year-old suspect believed to be one of the ringleaders behind a kidnapping-for-ransom syndicate that is targeting businesspeople in South Africa.

He is also suspected to be a key figure in the R300 million crystal meth drugs seized recently at the Johannesburg suburbs of Fourways and in Bruma.

‘This arrest underscores government’s commitment to decisively deal with organised crime,’ Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Thursday, during a post-Cabinet media briefing.

The Minister added that Cabinet supports the deployment of multidisciplinary law enforcement teams to deal with the high crime rate situation that is prevailing in the Eastern Cape.

‘The multidisciplinary teams include anti organised crime, specialised operations and intelligence operatives. Cabinet reiterated to law enforcement that communities cannot be held ransom by criminals,’ the Minister said.

Cabinet also welcomed the arrest of the suspect found in possession of 34 passports
by the Border Management Authority (BMA) at the Lebombo Port of Entry to Mozambique.

This is part of continued efforts to stem out illegal immigration criminal syndicates that seek to undermine border controls and immigration laws.

‘Fighting crime remains a shared responsibility between the police, communities and all sectors and the Cabinet continues to urge citizens to work with law-enforcement agencies to combat crime in our communities,’ she said.

In addition, Cabinet also noted the pre-release calendar for the publication of the quarterly Crime Statistics for the 2024-25 year. These will be released in August and November 2024, and in February and May 2025.

Minister Ntshavheni said the frequent release of crime statistics is important for monitoring crime trends and better decision-making in the fight against crime.

Source: South African Government News Agency