Jair Abdula, the eldest son of Mozambican businessman Salimo Abdula, who was abducted in South Africa along with friends last month, has been rescued.
According to reports, police found Salimo Abdula’s son in Heidelberg southeast of Johannesburg 37 days after he was abducted in South Africa with his friends.
Security operatives revealed that the search for Abdula ended on Fri., Nov. 26, when a team of police and security officers narrowed their search to an identified address and rescued the traumatized victim.
One of the alleged kidnappers has been arrested and the search is still underway to arrest the remaining kidnappers.
“We are intensifying efforts to arrest the remaining suspects. We will leave no stone unturned until we have all suspects in police custody,” National Commissioner General Khehla Sitole said.
Billionaires.Africa reported last month that Jair Abdula was kidnapped on Oct. 15 in the city of Benoni in South Africa after traveling to Johannesburg with four of his friends to attend a wedding when they were abducted.
His friends were later released, leaving only the 28-year-old Abdula in captivity.
After the South African authorities released him, Salimo and Maria Abdula thanked the authorities that played a key role in the rescue mission.
“We thank almighty Allah for accepting our prayers,” Salimo and Maria Abdula said in a note. “We wish to express our sincere gratitude to the South African Police Service, all private security companies that were involved, the Mozambican government. Our family is thankful that justice is taking its course.”
“We are looking forward to healing and will appreciate some privacy,” they added.
Salimo Abdula is the founder of Intelec Holdings Group, one of Mozambique’s largest conglomerates, with investments in agriculture, construction, energy, finance, mining, telecommunications and textiles.
Aside from his stake in Intelec Holdings, Abdula is also one of the largest shareholders of Vodacom’s operations in Mozambique and sits on the company’s board.
