Kidnapped doctor escapes in Toti, accused appear in court
The 43-year-old doctor was shoved into the boot of his VW T-Cross and managed to escape in Amanzimtoti.
THE men who hijacked and kidnapped a doctor on October 1, at The Bluff, taking him for a joy-ride to Amanzimtoti, have been remanded in custody after appearing in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on October 9.
Brighton Beach Police Station spokesperson Captain Louise le Roux said the men are aged 18, 19 and 21. It is alleged that on the day of the incident, the 43-year-old doctor was driving his VW T-Cross when he was flagged down on Admiral Road on The Bluff at about 19:00 by a person he thought he knew.
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“When he stopped, one suspect pointed a firearm at him and was thereafter joined by two other suspects. He was taken to a nearby sports field where the men took his iPhone and demanded his ATM cards with the PIN numbers. He was shoved into the boot of his car. The card was declined after the incorrect pin was used, and the suspects then demanded that he do a cash-send transaction of R1 500,” said Le Roux.
The men then allegedly drove to a tavern in Amamzimtoti and while they were drinking inside, the doctor managed to escape from the boot and ran to a nearby shop and raised the alarm.
“The tracker device was activated, and the vehicle was found and recovered in Amanzimtoti. The suspects evaded arrest, and the victim, who was assaulted during the kidnapping and robbery, received medical treatment at the police station. He was then referred to Wentworth Hospital for further treatment,” said Le Roux.
Despite evading arrest, detectives from Brighton Beach Police Station pursued the investigation, and on October 4, Detective Constable Samukelo Mdletshe arrested one suspect on The Bluff. Captain Brad Varley and Mdletshe thereafter recovered the victim’s new iPhone, valued at R50 000. As investigations progressed, a 9mm gas pistol was recovered. The first suspect who was arrested then gave the whereabouts of his two accomplices.
“The two officers continued to trace the outstanding suspects, and on October 5, the remaining suspects were arrested,” she said.
The men are facing charges of hijacking, kidnapping, robbery, theft, assault and possession of a dangerous weapon.
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