A Bangladeshi national who was kidnapped in Malvern on Thursday, February 11, is still missing.
A teacher and a police reservist have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping.
The Cleveland SAPS spokesperson, Constable Mpho Mashakane, said on Thursday, February 11, three men posing as police officers took a 26-year-old man from his family shop along Jules Street in Malvern.
“The men said they were from the Katlehong SAPS’ Family Unit. The men told the family they were there to arrest their son for rape. They gave the family a case number and told the family that the case had been opened at the Klatlehong SAPS. The men also left a number where the family could call the ‘police’ for an update about the case,” said Const Mashakane.
The victim’s brother reported the incident at the Cleveland SAPS.
“Cleveland SAPS officers called the number the family was given and the person who answered confirmed that he was a policeman from Klatlehong. He also confirmed that the man was arrested for rape,” said Const Malatji.
The family proceeded to the Katlehong SAPS to inquire about the case and the arrest.
“The family was told that the case number they were given was not for a rape. They were told it was about a person who was arrested for possession of dagga,” said Cost Mashakane.
A case of kidnapping was then open at the Cleveland SAPS.
On Friday, February 12, the father of the victim received a call from someone demanding three million Bangladeshi Taka, equal to R400 000.
Const Mashakane said the investigation led to the arrest of a teacher. He confessed to the kidnapping. He then led the police to his accomplice who is a reservist at the Edenpark SAPS.
“The pair has been arrested and confessed. They told the investigating team that they were paid R2 000 for the job by another man from Bangladesh. They handed over the victim to this man after the victim was taken from his father’s shop,” she said.
Const Mashakane said the victim is still missing.
She said a car that was used during the kidnapping, police uniforms and two toy guns were confiscated during the arrests of these men.
The SAPS is following up on leads but the victim has not been found yet.
