Millions of rands have been paid, in ransom, for the lives of foreign national business owners around the Chris Hani and OR Tambo regions.
So far, 14 cases have been reported and the Hawks have taken over the cases from the SAPS.
The abductions took place in Whittlesea, Cofimvaba and Ngcobo, Mthatha and Coglan.
Hawks spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, said there were at least 14 cases in the hands of the directorate for priority crimes investigation.
“The East London office has seven cases on hand, five under investigation and two in court, and there have been six arrests. The Mthatha office has seven cases in hand, six under investigation, one in court and four people have been arrested,” Mgolodela said.
A media briefing was organised by the Border Kei Chamber of Business (BKCOB) last week. BKCOB administrator, Adré Bartis said the highest ransom requested was R3 million and the lowest was R50 000.
“Approximately R10 million was paid so far. This matter needs urgent attention and the powers-that-be must attend to it.
“It is funny that politicians know where to find foreign national business owners when it is election time and when they want donations for campaigns, but can’t be available when they are in trouble,” she said.
Komani-Karoo Express has videos of the victims being terrorised. Foreign nationals who addressed the media, and cannot be named for fear of victimisation, said this first happened in Ngcobo where a R15 million ransom was asked for. The victim was released after three days with a deal of R800 000 being paid to save the person’s life.
Some of the victims were released after eight days.
A Pakistani business owner said: “A call was made to us from the kidnappers and they demanded money. We made a deal with them and paid R800 000. All the information was provided to the Hawks,” he said.
One of those abducted said he was beaten with an electric wire and had hot water poured over him for eight consecutive days. The foreign nationals abducted include Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Ethiopian nationals.
