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‘Catch Us If You Can’: Lenasia Kidnappers Taunt Police Before Raid Ends in Gunfire

Published

2 months ago

July 11, 2025

Chiraag

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In a crime that rattled the south of Johannesburg, a 60-year-old businessman from Lenasia was rescued after nearly two harrowing months in captivity. But what’s most shocking isn’t just the duration of his ordeal; it’s the arrogance of the men who took him.

Police say the group behind the abduction went so far as to taunt law enforcement in a text message. “Catch us if you can,” they wrote, after learning one of their accomplices had been arrested. It was a dare the SAPS anti-kidnapping task team took seriously, and ultimately, one they answered with force.

Months in the Dark

The businessman was kidnapped in May, vanishing from Lenasia without a trace. As is often the case in high-profile abductions, details were scarce during the early weeks, likely to protect the investigation and the victim’s life.

But behind the scenes, the task force had been closing in.

This week, a breakthrough came when police managed to arrest one of the kidnappers. According to Deputy Provincial Commissioner Fred Kekana, that suspect didn’t stay silent for long; he led officers straight to the house where the victim was being held.

Rescue Operation Turns Deadly

What followed was a high-risk raid on the property, where the anti-kidnapping unit moved in fast. During the operation, two of the suspects opened fire on police. Officers returned fire, killing both.

Three other suspects were arrested at the scene, bringing the total number of arrests to four. The victim was successfully rescued and, after nearly two months of uncertainty, finally reunited with his family.

“Yesterday the suspect sent a message: ‘We learned that one of us was arrested. Catch us if you can.’ And they thought they were daring us, thinking they wouldn’t be caught,” Kekana told reporters.

Public Reaction: Fear, Relief, and Frustration

In Lenasia, a tight-knit community often impacted by crime, news of the businessman’s safe return was met with relief. But there’s also growing frustration.

“How many more of us have to get taken before something changes?” one local resident asked on Facebook. “This shouldn’t be the new normal.”

The boldness of the kidnappers and their apparent confidence in avoiding arrest have unsettled many. Social media comments range from praise for the SAPS’s swift action to concern over how such a group operated unchecked for so long.

A Broader Crime Trend?

Kidnappings for ransom have become a worrying trend across South Africa, with syndicates often targeting businesspeople. These operations are typically well-planned, with hideouts, getaway routes, and encrypted communications.

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the Lenasia case is linked to a broader syndicate. But the police task force’s success in rescuing the victim and arresting several suspects is being hailed as a critical win in the fight against such crimes.

A Reminder: Stay Vigilant

The case is a sobering reminder of the danger posed by organised kidnapping gangs operating across Gauteng. While law enforcement efforts are improving, the public is urged to stay alert, report suspicious activity, and avoid routine habits that make targets easier to track.

For the Lenasia businessman and his family, the nightmare is over. But for the rest of the community, the echoes of “Catch us if you can” serve as a chilling warning and a call to action.