A joint operation between the Hawks Provincial Kidnapping Task Team and Mbizana police has led to the arrest of three kidnapping suspects aged between 21 and 36 in Mbizana during the early hours of yesterday, November 10 on charges of kidnapping.
It is alleged that on September 13, 2022 at about 21:00, a 36-year-old victim was kidnapped from his home at Msawana location in Ngcobo to Bizana. It is further alleged that the suspects had information that the victim received R30 million from the Road Accident Fund (RAF).
“The suspects reportedly forced the victim to withdraw cash from his account so as to view the balance. The balance was far too little from what they expected. To get himself off the hook, the victim told the suspects that he had an investment with Old Mutual,” said Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela.
According to Mgolodela, one suspect is reported to have accompanied the victim into Old Mutual and the victim managed to alert the consultant indicating his kidnapped position.
“There was commotion in Old Mutual as the victim was being assisted, the companion panicked and left Old Mutual. When the police arrived, there was not a single trace of the suspects. Fortunately, the victim could identify one man who brought him into Old Mutual,” Mgolodela added.
The investigation was conducted which led to the arrest of the trio and a white Toyota Etios vehicle that was used in the crime was seized.
The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
Two more suspects whose arrest is imminent are still at large.
