R180m ranson demand for businessman

Yet another businessman has been kidnapped – this time a Pretoria man and a R180 million ransom has been demanded for his return.

This comes days after a Ravensmead shop owner was abducted during a robbery and held captive for five days until his family paid a ransom demand.

The kidnapping of Sikander Kalla of Advance Cash n Carry Pretoria and the murder of his staff member, Imtiaz “DK” Suleman, has sent shock waves through the business community in Laudium, where both are from.

Suleman was said to have been shot four times on Tuesday afternoon in Pretoria West.

The pair were travelling in a silver Lexus when they were ambushed by gunmen who shot the driver, Suleman, and fled with Kalla.

“A ransom demand of R180 million has since been made for his safe return,” said a member of the Laudium business community, asking for anonymity for fear of being targeted.

The news broke on social media on Tuesday night, with a tweet from @Furak on Tuesday night reading: “My beloved brethren in humanity. It is with great sadness I inform you’ll that the FATHER of Madressah Hifzul Quran, Uncle Sikander Kalla, was kidnapped earlier today. Imtiaz DK, who was driving Sikander home, was shot and is unfortunately no longer with us.”

Police spokesperson Mathapelo Peters, however, said that cops were unaware of the incident.

Crime fighter Yusuf Abramjee said as far as he knows, a murder and kidnapping case was being investigated.

IOL News

• Kidnapped shop owner freed