A man alleged to be part of a kidnapping syndicate in the Western Cape will appear in the Paarl Magistrate’s Court on Monday, September 9.
The 34-year-old suspect was arrested on Thursday, September 5, by members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as Hawks).
The provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani said the family of four was kidnapped on August 24 and rescued the following day, August 25, by a multi-disciplinary Anti-Kidnapping Task Team consisting of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Provincial Organised Crime, Hostage Negotiation Team and Crime Intelligence near Philippi East.
“It is reported that the four victims, all family members left Kuils River in a vehicle. They were on their way to Helderstroom Prison in Caledon, where the father works as a prison warden.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle they were driving was later found abandoned in Endlovini, Khayelitsha. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of R100,000 per person, totalling R400,000 from the family's brother. They instructed him to pay R100,000 per person and not to involve the police,” Hani said.
She said the four hostages were released during the early hours of August 25 near Philippi East.
“A police vehicle from Philippi East saw the hostages and gave them a lift to Kuils River police station. The suspect will make his first appearance on Monday, September 9, 2024, at the Paarl Magistrate’s Court,” Hani said.
It is not known whether ransom money was paid.