A major breakthrough in the fight against transnational crime occurred on Saturday, 21 June 2025, when South African police shot and killed 40-year-old Mauro Mucambe Junior, a wanted Mozambican national suspected of orchestrating several kidnappings.
Mauro Mucambe Junior dies in Fourways after shootout with police
Mucambe was killed during a shootout with the SAPS Anti-Kidnapping Task Team in Fourways, Johannesburg.
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the operation was part of a continuing investigation into the kidnapping of a Pakistani businessman who remains missing.
The search had led police from a residential complex in Carlswald, Midrand—where two suspects were arrested and two vehicles seized—to the Fourways apartment where Mucambe was located.
“When officers arrived at the Fourways location, they announced their presence, which resulted in an exchange of gunfire,” said Brigadier Mathe.
“One suspect was fatally wounded, and it was later confirmed that the deceased was Mauro Mucambe Junior, a known kidnapping kingpin wanted by Mozambican authorities since August 2024.”
Mucambe’s death marks a significant milestone in the region’s efforts to tackle organised kidnapping rings. D
uring the operation, SAPS recovered an unlicensed firearm used by the deceased, along with 10 rounds of ammunition, four mobile phones, and four bank cards.
These items are expected to aid ongoing investigations.
Brigadier Mathe confirmed that Mucambe had been under investigation by the Mozambican police for his involvement in multiple kidnappings and that a warrant for his arrest had been issued nearly a year ago.
Despite this development, the kidnapped Pakistani businessman remains in captivity, and police have confirmed that a ransom demand was made to his family.
SAPS maintains confidence in the Anti-Kidnapping Task Team’s ability to locate and rescue him.
Brigadier Mathe added:
“We believe that the information and evidence recovered from this operation will bring us closer to dismantling kidnapping syndicates operating across borders.”
The operation also follows recent police successes, including progress in the Olorato Mongale murder investigation, where the task team tracked down a key suspect.
Authorities continue to search for additional individuals involved in related crimes, including Bongani Mthimkhulu.
