| 2024/09/28 |
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Media Statement EASTERN CAPE – A Provincial Task Team that is assigned on kidnapping cases has managed to dismantle a kidnapping ring within ten days after two women were kidnapped in two separate incidents in the Eastern Cape. During the disruptive operations, a team rescued the victims, recovered three stolen vehicles, three unlicensed firearms and also made several arrests (four were fatally wounded). A task team comprising of Crime Intelligence (CI), the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Provincial Tracing Team, Hostage Negotiators (HNT), National Intervention Unit (NIU) and the Tactical Response Team (TRT) was assigned to work on two kidnapping cases. The first incident occurred on Tuesday, 17 September 2024, where it is alleged that a 34-year-old woman (Chinese National) was traveling in a Mercedes Benz Vito was hijacked and kidnapped on the road between Barkly East and Elliot. The second incident occurred on Friday, 20 September 2024, where it is alleged that a 39-year-old woman was traveling in a Toyota Fortuner was hijacked and kidnapped near Mthatha. Moments later, her vehicle was found abandoned outside Mthatha. The task team started working on the two cases, and on Monday 23 September 2024, an intelligence information led them to a house in Qoboqobo (Keiskammahoek), where four suspects were fatally shot, and one was injured during a shootout with the police. Three unlicenced firearms with ammunition, and two stolen bakkies (a gold Toyota Hilux stolen in the Western Cape, and a white Opel Corsa stolen in Dimbaza) were recovered from the premises. On Wednesday, 25 September 2024, a couple that was traveling in a white Toyota Rumion was intercepted and stopped near Cradock. The two were arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle. A preliminary investigation has revealed that a vehicle was stolen in the Western Cape, and the couple was also linked to the kidnapping syndicate. The suspects aged 32 (male) and 34 (female) are due to appear in the Cradock magistrate’s court on Monday, 30 September 2024 on charges of possession of stolen property. The couple is also scheduled to appear in Port St John’s magistrate’s court on charges of kidnapping. Following these successes, and the pressure from the negotiating team, on Thursday, 26 September 2024, the syndicate released the two victims near Sulenkama. Both victims (women) were unharmed and no ransom was paid to the syndicate. The investigation is continuing, and with a possibility of more arrests or recoveries. The stolen Mercedes Benz Vito is still missing. Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene commended the team, “This was a collaboration between the Hawks and other specialized units that worked tirelessly to ensure that at the end we have positive results. We are indeed pleased with the outcomes, which we hope will deter those who want to embark in similar criminal activities in the future. We invested a lot of resources into this team, and the results are beginning to show” concluded Lt Gen Mene Ends
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