Police in court for alleged kidnapping and extortion of five headed to Pretoria CBD

Three SAPS officers have had their case postponed to June 21 after they appeared before the Mokopane Magistrate’s Court for kidnapping and extortion.

The three appeared briefly in court on Tuesday, June 18 for charges of kidnapping and extortion after it was alleged that they had kidnapped five Ethiopian nationals who were making their way to Marabastad Home Affairs

These three suspects (aged 30, 42 and 52) were detained at Mahwelereng police station in Limpopo.

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said it is alleged that on June 13, a 21-year-old male complainant was driving a BMW 3 Series motor vehicle with five male Ethiopian nationals headed for Marabastad Home Affairs to renew their asylums (sic). They were blocked by a grey Hyundai sedan with an unknown registration number at a filling station in Mokopane.

“The 21-year-old managed to escape, and he was followed by Mahwelereng SAPS Isuzu bakkie and VW Golf GTI with a female and two male occupants in uniform.

The five foreign nationals were allegedly taken from his motor vehicle and put in the back of the police bakkie, and he was cautioned not to follow them. They drove back to Mokopane and handed them to an unknown male suspect.”

According to Ledwaba, the case was transferred to Limpopo Provincial Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Investigation Unit from Mokopane and Mahwelereng SAPS for further investigations that led to their apprehension.

He said the trio were apprehended at their residences in June following the investigations and an undisclosed amount of cash presumably paid to one of the suspects was also seized at his residence.

“Constable Tebatso Sinkie Leso (30), Sergeant Risimati Vongani Mbhenyani (42) and Sergeant Madimetja Phillimon Mokebe (52) were remanded in police custody and their case was postponed to June 21 for legal representation and further police investigations.

The other two suspects – a 28-year-old female constable and 42-year-old male sergeant – handed themselves to the police on June 18 and were expected to appear before a Mokopane Magistrate on June 19,” said Ledwaba, adding that the investigation is continuing.

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