A 36-year-old suspect was recently arrested in connection with the kidnapping and robbery of two tourists from the USA as they were heading to the Kruger National Park on September 7.
According to a provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, the tourists were driving along the R536 in the Calcutta area when they were stopped by a Volkswagen Golf with a blue light
“The two tourists, a male (47) and a female (39), were held at gunpoint by two armed suspects who kidnapped them and drove to a spot where they were robbed of their personal items. They left the suspects and fled with the stolen goods.
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“The victims were later assisted by members of the community to reach Masoyi Police Station where a case was opened. The investigation immediately commenced. It was during the course of the inquiry when valuable information was provided by the FBI regarding the whereabouts of some of the reported stolen property,” he said.
Mdhluli added that information received led the police to a house in KaNyamazane. Upon arrival at the premises, the team discovered one of the suspects in question. A search was conducted and several items believed to have been stolen during the robbery were found. These include a laptop, two iPads, an iPhone smart wristwatch and two sets of binoculars.
A 16-channel signal jammer, a dash blue light and a VW Polo reportedly fitted with false registration number plates were also discovered.
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“The suspect was arrested and charged for possession of suspected stolen property. The police confiscated the recovered items for further investigation. The man appeared in the KaNyamazane Magistrate’s Court yesterday, September 12. The matter was postponed to September 19 for further investigation while he remains in custody,” Mdhluli said.
The investigation continues, but due to the delicacy of the probe, the suspect’s name cannot be revealed at this stage. Mdhluli said more charges will be added as the police are still looking for the second suspect.
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