THE vehicle driven by a South African-Briton couple who were reported missing – possibly taken capture by terrorist-linked criminals – was this week thoroughly examined at the Richards Bay police station by top forensics detectives.
Blood is believed to have been found in the vehicle, however the ZO cannot confirm whether the blood is that of the missing couples.
The ZO broke the story on its front page on Monday, reporting that two vehicles and explosives were seized during a Hawks raid on a homestead in Ngoye, near Mtunzini, last week Thursday.
However we have come to learn that the couples vehicle was recovered in the Waterloo area north of Durban, while the vehicle of a suspect, linked to their disappearance, was seized in Ngoye.
The couple, who hold dual SA citizenship and were first reported missing around 9 February, were driving a white Toyota Land Cruiser.
ALSO READ: Terrorist-linked pair hid near Mtunzini
The ZO can confirm that the FBI and Scotland Yard are working closely with national Hawks members, indicating strong international terrorist links, and that the search for the couple continues over a large area extending from Vryheid to Durban.
The two suspects, Sayfydeen Aslam Del Vecchio (38) and Fatima Patel (27) were arrested on Friday in Ngoye, the ZO understands they had been connected to the missing couple through the use of their bank cards.
They were taken to Hlobane Police Station near Vryheid where a case of kidnapping and robbery were opened.
According to reports a six-figure sum had been drawn from the couple’s account, which raised suspicion with the bank, who in turn alerted the police and Hawks.
The ZO understands the two South African-Britons went missing whilst visiting KZN.
The are believed to have left Cape Town on 5 February, were last photographed on 8 February and were last seen near Bivane Dam in Vryheid on the 9th.
ALSO READ: National Hawks swoop in on Zululand homestead
Del Vecchio and Patel are also facing charges of kidnapping, robbery and arson as they are accused of setting alight several hectares of canefields in 2017 worth R2 million at Tongaat-Hulett plantations.
The ZO believes that the second vehicle seized during the raid in Ngoye could be linked to the case of arson – it is still subject to forensic analysis.
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