A dramatic police operation by the South African Police Service’s Anti-Kidnapping Task Team has resulted in the death of a wanted Mozambican kidnapping kingpin during a shoot-out at a residential complex in Fourways, Johannesburg.

The operation was part of an ongoing investigation into the abduction of a Pakistani businessman who was kidnapped in Pretoria West earlier this week.

According to police, the businessman remains in captivity and efforts to locate and rescue him are continuing. The kidnappers have reportedly issued a ransom demand to the victim’s family.

#sapsHQ #Wanted Mozambican #kidnapping kingpin shot and killed during Anti-Kidnapping Task Team operation in residential complex in Fourways.

Anti-kidnapping task team traced a Mozambican kidnapping kingpin to a block of apartments in Fourways, Johannesburg this week. The… pic.twitter.com/eKk3DoUNU7

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) June 21, 2025

The multi-phase tracing operation began at a complex in Carlswald, Midrand, where police arrested two suspects and seized two luxury vehicles – a Mercedes Benz and a silver Pajero – believed to have been used in the kidnapping.

Following up on intelligence, the task team moved to Fourways, where they encountered a group of suspects. During the shootout, one suspect, later identified as Mauro Mucambe Junior, a 40-year-old Mozambican national and suspected leader of a transnational kidnapping-for-ransom syndicate, was fatally shot.

Authorities in Mozambique had issued a warrant for his arrest in August 2024, linking him to multiple high-profile kidnappings in Maputo and surrounding areas.

Police recovered an unlicensed firearm used during the shoot-out, along with ten rounds of ammunition. Four cellphones and four bank cards were also seized for forensic analysis, which may aid in the ongoing search for the Pakistani businessman and reveal the broader operations of the syndicate.

Police reiterated their full confidence in the Anti-Kidnapping Task Team.

Since January 2024, the elite unit has arrested over 170 suspects linked to kidnapping cases, rescued more than 100 victims, mostly in Gauteng, and recovered over R1.2 million in ransom money. The team has also seized over 40 vehicles used in abductions.

Most recently, the task team played a critical role in the Olorato Mongale murder case, successfully tracing and apprehending Philangenkosi Makhanya, one of the key suspects. However, the search continues for Bongani Mthimkhulu, another suspect in that case.

Police are urging anyone with information about the whereabouts of the kidnapped businessman or other suspects involved to come forward.