Five kidnapped Chinese rescued in South Africa

Chinese and South African police have rescued five Chinese nationals who were kidnapped four days earlier in Johannesburg, reports Chinanews.com quoting the Chinese embassy there.

The joint rescue effort involved the Fuzhou Public Security Bureau, Gauteng Police Department, the Chinatown Administration Commission in Johannesburg, and South Africa's Chinese Community Police Forum.

Police liaison officers at the Chinese embassy in South Africa provided assistance in the case. A hunt is currently underway for the kidnappers.

Kidnap and robbery of Chinese citizens in South Africa have occurred frequently in recent years. Six cases of Chinese people being kidnapped were reported between the end of 2015 and March, 2016, alone.

A Chinese businessman was shot dead by a robber in South Africa in Feb, 2016. [File photo: baidu.com]

Earlier this year three Chinese tourists from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region were reportedly fired upon by armed robbers at a hotel near Johannesburg airport on February 4.

The three victims were seriously injured, although their wounds were not life threatening. They are said to be in a stable condition.

One of the tourists was shot in the head by robbers in Johannesburg in Feb, 2017. [File photo: qq.com]

The Chinese embassy in South Africa is urging Chinese citizens and travelers to be aware of the local security situation and call the police and the Chinese embassy in case of emergency.