STELLENBOSCH – Three Zimbabweans have been arrested in South Africa after reportedly snatching a person from a shop in Stellenbosch and demanding R5 million in ransom money.
The trio, who are now facing charges of kidnapping, assault with grievous bodily harm (GBH), armed robbery, and extortion, were nabbed after a joint operation by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, SAPS Provincial Organised Crime unit, Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT), and the Boland K9 Unit.
According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi, the trio reportedly nabbed their victim last Thursday while he was in a shop. They then sent a video of him tied up and blindfolded to his close family.
“It was reported that the family received a WhatsApp message whereby the sender stated that he knew the whereabouts of the victim and demanded R100 000 in exchange for his location,” Vukubi explained.
“The sender further claimed to be a middleman, stating that the actual kidnappers were demanding R5 million but that he personally needed R100 000, fearing for the victim’s life.
On the same day, the victim’s brother received another WhatsApp message containing a video showing the victim with his hands tied and eyes blindfolded. Further threatening messages followed, warning that the victim would be killed.”
A meticulous investigation by the multi-disciplinary team led to the identification of two suspected vehicles involved in the kidnapping.
On 28 February, one of these vehicles, a black VW, was intercepted near Stellenbosch by the Boland K9 Unit. The victim was found inside the vehicle and was immediately rescued.
The victim was taken to the hospital for medical examination, having sustained serious head injuries but remaining in stable condition.
The suspects appeared in the Stellenbosch Regional Court on Monday, with the court has postponing the case to 14 March for a formal bail application.
