A 26-year-old suspect was arrested by the Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) Kidnapping task team of the Hawks in a joint operation with Mdantsane Tactical Response Team (TRT) on 13 October 2023 for kidnapping charges.
According to police spokesperson, Warrant-Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, the suspect was arrested after the information of a foreign national who was kidnapped on 17 July at his shop in the Dordrecht area in the Eastern Cape was received.
“The allegations revealed that the victim was accosted by four armed unknown men who allegedly pointed him with a firearm and forced him to a gold Toyota Avanza.
“Further allegation exposed that the victim was kidnapped, however, was kept for few days by kidnappers, who demanded his cash, bank cards and his PIN,” said Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana.
Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana added, “The suspects allegedly withdrew an amount of R8000 from the victim’s bank account using his card. Moreover, the allegations further exposed that the suspect bought some expensive clothes worth R27 000. The cash, clothes and the vehicle were seized for further investigation.”
“The investigation divulged that through video footage, the suspect was identified and linked to the kidnapping. The joint team traced the suspect and arrested them on 13 October 2023.”
The suspect will first appear at Dordrecht Magistrates’ Court on 16 October 2023.
The Provincial Head, Major General Obed Ngwenya, is much-admired by the joint team effort to swiftly apprehend the accused person to face the rule of law.
ISSUED BY HAWKS
