KARIEGA – Following a six-week postponement for further investigation, the case against two suspects facing charges related to kidnapping with intent to human trafficking and extortion of Theresa Minnie (73) on 11 August 2025 has been postponed for a further six weeks. This time, the postponement is to decide whether the case will be transferred to the Regional Court or High Court.
According to the state prosecutor in court today, the request to move the case from the Kariega Magistrate’s Court, where the kidnapping happened, to another court was made on the instructions of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The prosecutor added that all pending investigations have been concluded with the docket in the possession of the investigating officer and that the prosecutor from the DPP will prosecute the case further.
The pair, Ayabulela Busakwe and Andile Mathumbu, facing Schedule 6 crimes under the South African Criminal Procedure Amendment Act, appeared at the Kariega Magistrate’s Court today, 4 December 2025, after their last appearance was postponed for further investigation.
UD Express previously reported on 22 October 2025 that considerable investigation is still needed, such as conducting chemical analysis and obtaining a police clearance report.
The accused are alleged to have kidnapped Theresa Minnie (73) from her Fairbridge Heights home on the morning of 11 August. They also pressured Minnie’s husband, Karel, by demanding he pay a ransom of R10 million for the safe return of Theresa.
The matter was remanded to 21 January 2026 for the court to determine the appropriate jurisdiction, with the case set to be transferred to either the Regional Court or High Court. The suspects will remain in custody.
