The Kidnapping Task Team of the Hawks in the Eastern Cape effected a second arrest of man (26) on October 26, 2022, in Kokstad on charges of kidnapping.
According to the Hawks spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, this is subsequent to the arrest of another kidnapping suspect (50) during the night of October 20, 2022, at Ngqeleni.
Mgolodela said that it is alleged that on May 19, 2022, at about 19:30 a female (45) was kidnapped by three unknown suspects from her home in Mankosi location in Ngqeleni.
“It is further reported that the victim was a beneficiary of a Road Accident Fund as a result the suspects are alleged to have withdrawn cash, purchased liquor, bought a car battery and aluminium window frames using the victim’s back card,” said Mgolodela.
The allegations further indicate that the victim was held hostage at a local accommodation establishment in Mthatha, swindled out of more than R80 000, and was eventually rescued by an employee of the establishment
“During the arrest of the suspect his firearm and Toyota Hilux bakkie which were used in the commission of crime were seized along with some of the items which were allegedly purchased with the victim’s money.”
Mgolodela added that the apprehended suspects will remain in custody, with the second of the two to make a court appearance in days to follow and an imminent arrest of the outstanding suspect on the cards.
