JOHANNESBURG – Five men arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a man (38) are expected to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

The suspects, aged between 28 and 45, face charges of kidnapping and extortion after police rescued the victim unharmed following a month in captivity. Authorities arrested the men at different locations on Sunday after intensive investigations.

The victim was kidnapped on 30 August in the Johannesburg CBD. His captors demanded a ransom of R35 million for his release.

Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, provincial spokesperson for Gauteng police, said a multi-disciplinary team rescued the man based on intelligence-driven information.

The rescue team included Johannesburg Central detectives, Crime Intelligence, the Anti-Kidnapping Team, the Flying Squad unit and private security companies.

“All five suspects were arrested following an intelligence-driven investigation into a kidnapping and extortion case registered at Johannesburg Central Police Station,” said Nevhuhulwi.

She said investigators gathered significant evidence during the operation. Three men were found with the cellphone used to contact the victim’s family to demand the ransom.

Further investigations led the team to a plot in Randfontein, where they found and rescued the victim. Police arrested two more suspects at the premises.

The Department of Home Affairs is verifying the countries of origin of both the victim and the suspects.

ALSO READ: Police nab five within hours of brazen kidnapping and murder of a man