JAPANESE BUSINESSMAN KIDNAPPED, E500 000 RANSOM DEMANDED

Commissioner of Police Isaac Magagula shakes hands with Hiro Maeda during his visit at his home yesterday. (Pic: Mduduzi Mngomezulu)

LOBAMBA – A Japanese businessman was kidnapped on Tuesday night and kept blindfolded for two days while his captors demanded a E500 000 ransom.

Police say investigations are still ongoing regarding the abduction of Hiro Maeda who lives at Lobamba.
Information gathered from reliable sources is that Maeda was kidnapped on Tuesday evening when he left the house to go and feed his pigs outside.

It is believed that eight people were involved in his abduction; two Swazis and six South Africans.
The motive behind the crime is unclear as yet but it was confirmed that Maeda did not pay his abductors the ransom fee.
The businessman owns a car dealership which sells grey imported vehicles (Dubais) in Mahhala, Matsapha.

Police Deputy Public Relations Officer (PRO) Inspector Khulani Mamba confirmed the matter but remained tight-lipped, only confirming that Maeda was home and safe. “Yes, the police got him back, he is at home now.
“Unfortunately no other information is available because investigations have not yet been concluded by the Lobamba Police Station,” the deputy PRO said.

When a reporter and photographer from this publication made their way to the homestead with the hope of interviewing Maeda it was discovered that he was under close surveillance and protection.
Maeda’s estate is surrounded by a black wall fence and a white sign written ‘Caphela Tinja/Beware of dogs’ in red.
A foreign registered vehicle was found outside the premises and the two men found in it were wary of discussing the nature of their business with media personnel.

“We are from the Japanese Embassy. We have someone in there now.
“You can wait for someone from the family to come out and then request to speak with them regarding your visit,” one of the men said.
They confirmed that they had already been there for approximately an hour, at around 3:15pm.

While waiting for a member of the Maeda family to come out, the official from the Japanese Embassy, who had been in the homestead with Maeda, walked out to fetch something from the car while an employee at the homestead restrained dogs.

When this reporter attempted to speak with him he put his hand up and rushed back to the gate and hurriedly ushered Maeda inside.
Late last year a Manzini-based businessman was kidnapped and was found in a forest in Manzini in poor health after having disappeared for a number of days.

Though Swaziland has not witnessed a lot of such kidnappings, kidnapping has become common in neighbouring Mozambique where they seem targeted towards businessmen who show signs of prosperity.

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