By Everson Luhanga
- Police tracked down 40-year-old Mauro Mucambe Junior, who was wanted in Mozambique, and shot him dead after he opened fire.
- Mucambe was linked to a Pretoria kidnapping case and was hiding out in Fourways after police arrested two suspects in Midrand.
Police say Mucambe was a major figure in Mozambique’s kidnapping underworld. He was wanted for several kidnappings and a warrant for his arrest was issued by police in Maputo in August 2024.
This week, the South African Police Service’s anti-kidnapping task team followed leads from a kidnapping case involving a Pakistani businessman from Pretoria West, who is still being held captive.
The team started at a residential complex in Carlswald, Midrand. There, they arrested two suspects and seized a Mercedes-Benz and a silver Pajero.
They then moved to Fourways, where they confronted Mucambe. A gun battle broke out and he was shot dead.
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, Mucambe had a gun without a licence and 10 rounds of ammunition. Police also seized four cellphones and four bank cards from the scene.
Mathe said police are still working to rescue the kidnapped businessman. “Since January 2024, the team has arrested over 170 suspects involved in kidnappings for ransom,” she said.
They have also recovered more than R1.2-million, rescued over 100 victims, mostly in Gauteng, and seized over 40 vehicles used in kidnapping crimes.
The same task team recently helped track down Philangenkosi Makhanya in the Olorato Mongale murder case. They are still searching for Bongani Mthimkhulu.
Pictured above: South African Police Service anti-kidnapping task team in action.
Image source: SAPS
