EASTERN CAPE – The Hawks’ Provincial Kidnapping Task in a joint operation with Mbizana SAPS arrested three kidnapping suspects aged between 21 and 36 in Mbizana during the early hours of 10 November 2022 for charges of kidnapping.  

It is alleged that on 13 September 2022 at about 21:00, the 36-year-old victim was kidnapped from his home at Msawana Ngcobo location to Bizana. It is further alleged that the suspects had information that the victim received R30 million from the Road Accident Fund (RAF). 

The suspects reportedly forced the victim to withdraw cash from his account so as to view the balance. The balance was far too little from what they expected. To get himself off the hook, the victim told the suspects that he had an investment with Old Mutual. 

One suspect is reported to have accompanied the victim into Old Mutual and the victim managed to alert the consultant indicating his kidnapped position. There was a commotion in Old Mutual as the victim was being assisted, the companion panicked and left Old Mutual. When the police arrived, there was not a single trace of the suspects. Fortunately, the victim could identify one man who brought him to Old Mutual. 

The investigation was conducted which led to the arrest of the trio and a white Toyota Etios that was used in the commission of crime was seized. 

The suspects will appear in court soon. Two more suspects whose arrest is imminent are still at large.

Source: South African Police Service