KZN man in court for allegedly faking his own kidnapping

A KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) man is in custody following his involvement in a kidnapping plot.

The efforts of multiple law enforcement units tracked down the 31-year-old last week only to find things were not as they seemed.

The man’s bail application is scheduled for 16 April following his first appearance in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

Resting at coastal lodge

Sisey Tarakegn was arrested on Wednesday despite authorities being told he was the victim of a kidnapping.

Tarakegn is alleged to have called his brother from an unknown number, relaying that he had been kidnapped and that his captors were demanding a R3 million ransom.

Members of the Hawks, the eThekwini Hostage Negotiators and other units would find this information to be false, with the accused now facing charges of defeating the ends of justice.

“It became clear that the accused had orchestrated his own kidnapping in order to extort his father for a substantial sum of money,” stated KZN police spokesperson Warrant Officer Sibu Ncane.

Tarakegn was found to have booked himself into holiday accommodation roughly 70km up the coast from Durban.

Kidnappings up

Head of the Hawks in KZN Major General Lesetja Senona was pleased with work of authorities in fighting a crime which has been steadily increasing in South Africa.

 “I commend the outstanding teamwork exhibited by all agencies involved in apprehending Sisey Tarakegn,” stated Senona.

Police confirmed in 2024 that over 50 kidnappers had been arrested during the first six months of that year in Gauteng, North West, Mpumalanga and Free State.

Additionally, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) stated in December that kidnappings had risen by 264% in the last decade.

“Gauteng is the most affected province, recording more than half (51%) of all reported incidents, followed by KwaZulu-Natal (20%),” ISS stated.

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