GQEBERHA – Six men appeared in the Gqeberha Magistrates’ Court yesterday on multiple charges, including kidnapping and extortion, following the abduction of single mother Tracey Fourie.
Mthetho Ntleko (46), Mzameni Matyunza (51), Malibongwe Dayile (33), Nyaniso Sabundla (51), Aviwe Twatwa (26) and Tamsanqa Matlabe (24) stand accused of kidnapping, trafficking in persons, extortion, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition as well as the possession of a prohibited signal-blocking device.
Fourie (62) was abducted in Sydenham on 20 August and held captive for five days until a substantial ransom of R200 000 was allegedly paid for her release.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Regional Spokesperson Luxolo Tyali explained: “On 20 August, Tracey Fourie was abducted from student accommodation in Sydenham and forcibly transported to an undisclosed location where she was held captive in a confined room,” Tyali said.
“She was only released on 25 August, after her partner paid a ransom of R200, 000 although the accused had initially demanded R5 million.”
Because the matter falls under a Schedule 6 offense, the NPA will be opposing bail.
Meanwhile, three of the accused have criminal records or pending cases.
Dayile was previously convicted of rape in 2016 and sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment, while Sabundla was convicted of robbery in 1991 and sentenced to 22 years’ imprisonment.
Additionally, Twatwa has a pending case before the Kariega Magistrates’ Court for possession of suspected stolen property.
The case has been postponed to Thursday for a formal bail application.
