KARIEGA – The case against two suspects facing charges related to kidnapping, human trafficking, and extortion of Theresa Minnie (73) on 11 August 2025 was postponed for an additional six weeks.
The pair, Andile Mathumbu and Ayabulela Busakwe, facing Schedule 6 crimes under the South African Criminal Procedure Amendment Act, appeared briefly at the Kariega Magistrate’s Court on 22 October, eight weeks after their last court appearance.
According to the prosecutor in court today, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) instructed that the matter be postponed for an additional six weeks to allow for the gathering of all evidence related to the case.
The prosecutor added 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.
The charge sheet read at a previous hearing indicated that the pair pressured Minnie’s husband, Karl, by demanding a ransom payment of R10 million for her release. An amount of R1.1 million was paid for her safe return on 16 August.
The matter was remanded until 4 December for further investigation. The suspects remain in custody.
