CAPE TOWN - The kidnapping of 21-year-old Huzaifa Sange from his family’s takeaway business in Newfields near Hanover Park has highlighted the increased targeting of cash-based businesses by “copycat gangs”.
Huzaifa Take-Away, well-known for its chicken tikka, is Sange’s brother’s business but the 21-year-old works there as he lives with his sibling and sister-in-law.
At about 8pm on Friday, four armed men allegedly went to the family home in Lodewyk Street where the business operates, under the pretext of being customers, before they robbed them and fled with Sange.
Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk said the case was still under investigation, with no arrests yet made.
“According to reports four unknown males entered the house and threatened the occupants. The suspects made them lie on the kitchen floor, ransacked the house and took cellular telephones and an undisclosed amount of cash.
They fled the scene with the family’s motor vehicle, a white Hyundai and the 21-year-old male, in an unknown direction,” said Van Wyk. He said Philippi police were investigating a house robbery and kidnapping.
Earlier this month, police rescued a 31-year-old man who had been held hostage in Langa after suspects entered business premises in Dunoon and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash and the victim.
Anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee said: “Kidnappings are continuing to increase. We have seen scores of cases across South Africa, including Cape Town. It appears smaller ‘copycat’ gangs are also at work. These criminals are trying their luck more and more. There are a number of ‘active cases’ across the country.”
Criminology expert and senior researcher at UCT’s Centre of Criminology, Dr Simon Howell said cash-based businesses were more likely to be targeted by amateurs and solo operators.
“While in the cases of kidnapping of a high profile or high-worth businessman, generally the criminals are not concerned if they have cash because they can charge large sums of ransom. These kidnappings do create an aura around South Africa being a dangerous country and a lawless place where it is difficult to conduct business.
“This tarnishes the image of South Africa. It can’t be said that the kidnappings have had an impact on the already declining economy. However this can deter people from further pursuing business interests in the country,” said Howell.
Community Safety and Police Oversight MEC Reagen Allen said when assailants enter people's property with the intent to do harm, it can be quite traumatic.
“Anyone with information about this matter is asked to urgently contact SAPS, so that the young man can safely be returned to his family and the perpetrators arrested, to face the full might of the law. Lawlessness has no place in our society and we should band together to eradicate it.”
Anyone with any information about the incident can anonymously contact the investigating officer Detective Lt Col Gavin Sias on 082 4697 243 or Crime Stop at 086 0010 111 or SMS Crime Line at 32211.
Cape Times