GQEBERHA – The newly added police officer accused in the kidnapping and extortion case appeared alongside his co-accused in the Gqeberha Regional Court on Friday, 25 September.

Xolani Busakwe, a 42-year-old Warrant Officer attached to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s (DPCI) Cyber Crimes component at SAPS Head Office in Pretoria, is facing charges relating to alleged kidnapping, extortion and other serious organised crimes.

Busakwe joined Simthembile Xungu, Ayabulela Busakwe, David Mthembu, Buhle Mbini and Andile Mathumbu in the matter. One of the accused was alleged to be appearing in a separate matter at the New Brighton Magistrate’s Court.

The Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, said Busakwe’s arrest followed an intensive investigation into two separate kidnapping incidents in which the victims were allegedly abducted by armed men and ransom demands were made to their families.

The two kidnapping victims, Lindsay Knowlden and Theresa Minnie, were kidnapped in Gqeberha and Kariega respectively.

Knowlden was kidnapped on Saturday, 21 June 2025, when she arrived at her place of work, the Fresh Produce Market in Markman. Her husband was allegedly pistol-whipped by four armed men before Knowlden was forcibly removed from their vehicle and abducted.

A ransom demand was subsequently allegedly made to her family before she was released unharmed a few days later.

Minnie and her husband were allegedly attacked by four armed men at their residence on Monday, 11 August 2025, before she was forcibly removed from her vehicle and abducted.

It is alleged that the men were targeting Minnie’s husband, Karl Minnie, with a ransom demand of R1.1 million subsequently made to him. Minnie was also released unharmed.

Mhlakuvana said the similarities between the two incidents, together with the circumstances surrounding the ransom demands and subsequent investigative developments, prompted the Hawks to investigate the possibility of a broader criminal network linked to the offences.

The investigation led the Hawks to a guesthouse in Summerstrand, Gqeberha, where two suspects were arrested and a substantial amount of cash was seized.

Investigators subsequently travelled to Gauteng, where information indicated that another suspect was based.

Busakwe was arrested at his place of employment at SAPS Head Office in Pretoria before being transported to the Eastern Cape to face the allegations.

Mhlakuvana confirmed that Busakwe appeared in court on Thursday alongside his co-accused.

“The officer was joined by his co-accused,” he said.

The defence attorney for one of the accused, Sibongiseni Zimema, argued that the matter had been postponed too many times.

Zimema indicated that should the matter be postponed beyond the final remand date of 28 September, the defence would apply for Section 342A of the Criminal Procedure Act.

Section 342A provides for a court to investigate unreasonable delays in the completion of criminal proceedings where such delays could cause substantial prejudice to the State, an accused or witnesses.

The matter was postponed until Monday, 28 September, for Busakwe’s bail application.

Busakwe and his co-accused will remain in custody.

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