A joint intelligence-driven takedown operation by members attached to the Provincial Kidnapping Task Team, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation, Crime Intelligence and the Hostage Negotiation Team resulted in the arrests of three (3) suspects aged 30, 32 and 37 as a result of resilient investigation following the discovery of the body of a 48-year-old Chinese national on Monday, 26 December 2022 in connection with a kidnapping and extortion case in Khayelitsha.

His 52-year-old brother was found in a serious condition at approximately 22:01 on 28 December 2022 on the Swartklip Road in Khayelitsha. The victim was transported to the Khayelitsha District Hospital for medical examination at the Thuthuzela Care Centre.

Preliminary investigation suggest that the 52-and-48-years-old brothers were abducted in the Mowbray area on Thursday, 22 December 2022 at about 22:45 by assailants that was unknown at the time. These suspects later contacted relatives and demanded cash in return for their safe return and unification with their families. They were instructed not to talk to authorities as that would have put their loved ones directly in harm’s way. However police immediately activated a multi-disciplinary team to probe the disappearance of the brothers. Their resilience paid off when they arrested the trio and took them in for interrogation.

The above mentioned suspects are scheduled to appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrates’ court, facing charges relating to murder, attempted murder as well as kidnapping and extortion.

The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile lauded the efforts by the integrated forces for their sterling investigation and bringing these perpetrators to book. Kidnapping and extortion are on top of the priority list in the Western Cape and we will make sure that the perpetrators of these crimes get their day in court, he said.

Source: South African Police Service