3 Bangladeshis among 4 abducted in South Africa, expatriates in panic
The number of kidnappings in South Africa has increased alarmingly in July. At least three Bangladeshi expatriates have been kidnapped this month. One of them is still missing and two have been released on ransom.
At the same time, several other high-profile kidnappings have taken place in different parts of the country, which has increased the anxiety among expatriates. The latest incident is that Tanvir Ahmed Bindu, a resident of Dakshinkhan, Dhaka, was kidnapped from the Fordsburg area of Johannesburg last Saturday evening (July 25).
Tanvir, who had come to South Africa just 18 days ago, was abducted by armed robbers on his way back home with some Bangladeshis. Despite a police operation, he could not be found. Earlier, Md. Arif of Bajra Union, Noakhali, was kidnapped on July 18. The family claims that he was released on July 24 at around 3 am by paying a ransom of 1 lakh khazana. He is currently undergoing treatment in the hospital.
Meanwhile, another recently kidnapped Bangladeshi, Saiful Islam Mubarak, was released by his kidnappers for a ransom of about 2 million kyats. He was brutally tortured in captivity and a finger on his hand was cut off. After receiving first aid, he returned to Bangladesh on July 10.
Not only Bangladeshis, there have been several kidnappings for ransom in different parts of South Africa this month. Among them, Shirin Akhalwa, 72, one of the founders of the Akhalwa Group based in Fordsburg, Johannesburg, was kidnapped on Tuesday, July 7. On July 8, South African police rescued her alive in a special operation. Three suspects were arrested in the incident on July 9. The recent increase in kidnappings, armed robberies and extortion targeting expatriate businessmen and workers in South Africa has spread concern among the Bangladeshi community. Community leaders have urged expatriates to avoid traveling alone, exercise extra caution at night and immediately inform the police and community about suspicious situations.
