TWO suspects have landed in the dock on charges of kidnapping and extortion. They will appear at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, October 14.
Colonel Thembeka Mbele, said the suspects were arrested on Monday, October 11, during a multidisciplinary operation.
It is alleged that on July 8 at 17:38, a 60-year-old male victim was leaving his business premises on Umgeni Road in Durban when he was accosted by four armed men. The elderly businessman was forced into their vehicle.
Also read: Berea SAPS shares safety tips for home owners
“He was held hostage for seven days when the family received a ransom demand of R10m for his release,” said Mbele.
On October 10, police traced the money to a family trust in Bloemfontein.
Also read: Drugs worth over 450k recovered in raid
“An operational plan was put in place and (police) proceeded to Bainsvlei in Bloemfontein, where they arrested two suspects. Police seized electronic items, two rifles and a 9mm firearm that were used in a commission of crime,” said Mbele
She added that the investigative team is looking for the remaining suspects who were involved in the kidnapping.
* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).