The family of Africa’s youngest billionaire who was kidnapped last week has offered a billion Tanzanian shillings (£330,000) for information leading to his rescue.
Police say the abductors, who are believed to be foreign nationals, entered the gym through hotel gates that were deliberately left open.
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The Guardian reports the father-of-three is thought to have fallen victim to a “well-planned attack” in the affluent Oysterbay neighbourhood of Dar es Salaam.
A fitness enthusiast, Dweji had no security guards with him and had driven to the gym on his own as usual, suggesting the kidnappers were aware of his routine.
Police believe two white men were behind Dewji's kidnapping, which is generally “uncommon” in Tanzania The BBC's Athuman Mtulya says.
Forbes magazine lists Dewji as Africa’s youngest billionaire, with an estimated fortune of $1.5 billion. The pan-African conglomerate METL group which he inherited from his father has massive holdings in textile and food and beverage manufacturing businesses across six countries.
The motive for the kidnapping is “still unknown”, CNN says, and police have yet to receive a ransom demand. 20 men have been arrested in connection with the incident.
With the police so far coming up blank, Dewji’s family has offered a reward for his safe return.
His uncle, Azim Dewji, urged informants to contact the family, promising that “the source of the information and the information itself will remain confidential between the family and the source”.
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