Interpol has apprehended a Mozambican man accused of masterminding kidnappings for ransom in South Africa.
Esmael Malude Ramos Nangy is suspected of masterminding kidnappings for ransom worth millions of dollars over the last two decades.
South African police said he was apprehended during a raid on an upscale housing estate in Centurion, near Pretoria.
Over the weekend, police in Mozambique confirmed the arrest of the wanted man.
The news of the arrest of the 50-year-old Mozambican citizen was first issued by the international police. It followed an international arrest warrant issued in July last year by the Mozambican authorities.
A statement by the South African police said among the items seized at the home were a firearm, cartridges, five mobile phones and banks cards.
He is due in court on Monday.
Mozambique is seeking his extradition. A Mozambican police source said Mr Nangy was a suspect in a kidnapping that took place last year in the capital, Maputo.
Kidnapping for ransom is common mainly in Mozambican major cities and towns and the key targets have been business people of Asian origin or their relatives.
According to Mozambique’s National Criminal Investigation Service (Sernic), the country recorded 13 kidnappings in 2022 and 33 arrests linked to the crimes.