The South African Police Service have confirmed that Donovan “Poenie” Williams (48) was arrested today, 12 June, at about 12:30 in the Greenfields area, Chatty.

Williams has allegedly been on the run since October 2025, after being implicated in a kidnapping incident involving a foreign national.

According to SAPS spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge, members of the Nelson Mandela Bay District Detective Intervention Task Team, assisted by SAPS Chatty Crime Prevention Unit, successfully pursued various leads and information, which resulted in the apprehension of the suspect.

The arrest comes after SAPS released a statement with a reward of up to R30,000 for information that could assist in locating a person of interest.

According to a previous SAPS statement, Williams was sought in connection with serious and violent crimes, including murder, kidnapping and fraud in the Nelson Mandela Bay District.

SAPS spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg said in a previous statement that the Nelson Mandela Bay District Detective Intervention Task Team had been investigating the disappearance of two individuals in separate incidents.

“Firstly, Quinton Plaatjie, also known as ‘Doenas’, was reported missing at Bethelsdorp SAPS in 2020,” she said. “Secondly, Loay Khayat was reported missing at Kariega SAPS in August 2025.”

The suspect is expected to appear at the Kariega Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 15 June.

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