Wife of Mozambican ‘kidnapping kingpin’ allegedly shot at him in their Midstream Estate home

Suspected Mozambican transnational kidnapping syndicate kingpin Esmael Nangy’s wife, Nazia, allegedly shot at him during a heated altercation at their upmarket Centurion home, shattering a window.

A week later, hours before his arrest on SA soil, the couple was again involved in an altercation where she armed herself with his firearm.

These claims are contained in the affidavit of investigating officer Sgt Kabelo Seanego, who revealed that Nazia allegedly opened fire with his 9mm pistol, shattering a window in their Midstream Estate home.

Seanego’s affidavit was read out in the Thembisa magistrate’s court on Wednesday during Nangy’s bail application, which is still ongoing.

Nangy’s lawyer, Calvin Maile and Nazia Nangy have dismissed the claims as “lies”.

In his affidavit, Seanego, who works for SAPS and Interpol, states that at lunchtime on January 7, the day of Nangy’s arrest, “an incident occurred in his home pertaining to his licensed firearm”.

We love each other. He is a good father, to our children and his other children, and has a good heart.

—  Nazia Nangy

“The incident involved an altercation between Nangy and his wife, Nazia Nangy, which led to the firearm being handed over to a neighbour for safekeeping.

“The neighbour later, when the police arrived on the scene to arrest Nangy, handed over the firearm to the police. There was a further allegation that Nangy’s wife had a week ago [a week before the arrest] taken his firearm and discharged in the house, shattering a window after an argument between them. No charges were filed against Nangy or his wife [sic].”

Nazia Nangy, in an interview with TimesLIVE Investigations, confirmed they had an argument, “but there was no shooting, guns or stuff”.

“We love each other. He is a good father to our children and his other children and has a good heart.”

Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe declined to respond to detailed questions, including that a second firearm belonging to Nangy, which arresting officers could not find during his capture, is missing.

“The matters referred to form part of an ongoing investigation. Responding may jeopardise investigations.

“At this stage, police can only confirm that a licensed firearm was seized and has been taken in for ballistics testing to investigate whether it was used in any commission of crime.

“Once the ballistics report is ready, the team working on the case will address the matter accordingly within the prescripts of the law.”

Police captured Nangy on an Interpol arrest warrant when officers raided his luxurious double-storey home.

The warrant was issued in regards to Mozambican authorities wanting Nangy in connection with a series of kidnappings they claim he orchestrated in that country.

He is also wanted in SA in connection with several kidnappings for ransom.

A source told TimesLIVE Investigations the neighbour had confiscated the gun after he heard gunshots and screams coming from the couple’s home.

The neighbour, whose identity is known, declined to comment.

“This whole matter involves organised crime detectives. It is serious, and I am not getting mixed up in any of it.”

Two independent police sources confirmed that the shooting incident was discovered after the neighbour alerted raiding officers.

“What is strange is that no charges were laid, either by Nangy against his wife, or Nazia against her husband.

“We are investigating why this was not reported to the estate’s security or to the local police. By law every shooting must be reported and investigated.

“What I can tell you is that she fired at Nangy, but no case was opened against her. She was stopped by a neighbour who heard the commotion, but their statements are not available. The wife needs to be charged for discharging the firearm and for handling the firearm without documentation,” said the officer.

He confirmed officers were investigating that Nangy had another firearm, which could not be located during his arrest.

The second policeman said: “Nazia confronted Esmael. It was during the confrontation that she allegedly shot at him. We are investigating to see whether any investigation into the incident was blocked to protect Nangy and conceal his location.”

Maile dismissed the claims as “lies”.

“The law states that in any shooting incident a case must be registered with the police. This has not happened. If there was a shooting, why has no case been opened? If it had happened, both my client and his wife would have told me.”

Nazia Nangy told TimesLIVE Investigations the claims were “social media fabrications”.

“There was a disagreement, like any other happily married couple has, but there was no fighting that involved shooting or guns.

“I have never been in, or faced any danger from my husband. We have been married for 16 years, we have a solid marriage, and we love each other. We are not enemies.”

She said they had a seven month-old-baby and two other boys together.

“They are our children, and he loves them like he loves all of his other children.”

Nangy said she did not know about her neighbour having given police her husband’s gun.

“The firearm he owns is legal. He only has one gun and has a safe for it which he puts it in most of the time.”

She said under the circumstances her husband was doing OK.

Nangy said she did not know where the kidnapping allegations came from.

“It is unfair for people to try to link him with kidnappers. He is an innocent businessman who owns trucks and is involved in construction both in SA and in Mozambique, where he builds schools and roads.

“He works hard so that he can take care of his family.”