| 2024/05/17 |
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Media Statement EASTERN CAPE – Suspects aged between 27 and 32 are to appear before the East London Magistrate’s court on 17 May 2024. The duo was arrested by the East London Economic Protected Resources (EPR) of Serious Organised Crime Investigation team of the Hawks on 15 May 2024 for allegations of kidnapping and money laundering. Their arrest follows the arrest of relatives, Mlandeli Gwadiso (43) the security guard to the victim, Bonginkosi Gwadiso (25), Mxolisi Mapoyi (38), Asemahle Mahashe (32), Sandisile Sithonga (32) and Dumisani Bontsi (47) between November 2023 respectively by the Provincial Kidnapping Task Team of Serious Organised Crime Investigation of the Hawks jointly with East London Detective Tracing Team. Moreover, Bontsi was ultimately arrested by the Hawks on 8 May 2024. Their arrest emanates from an incident where a foreign national was allegedly kidnapped on 17 November 2023 by unidentified armed suspects, who came from nowhere inside the warehouse yard. Further allegations revealed that the victim was in his vehicle during the time when he was approached by the suspects. They reportedly pointed him with a firearm and forced him to drive his vehicle which was later found abandoned. Subsequent to that, the accused further reportedly demanded the victim’s bank card and bank pin number. Upon the preliminary investigation, the joint team discovered that the victim’s employee inclusive of his relative and other two additional suspects were involved in the planning to kidnap the victim until the arrest of the eighth additional suspect on 15 May 2024. Further allegations revealed that the victim was later released by his kidnappers due to the pressure exerted upon them by the team. On 18 November 2023, the suspects allegedly started to purchase items in different retail shops using the victim’s bank card and cash withdrawals where the spending accumulated to a total amount of R300 000. The investigation also revealed that the suspect was amongst the other suspects that evaded the arrest during the incident and have been linked with the said kidnapping. All the suspects arrested before the latter had since appeared before the East London Magistrates’ court and have been remanded in custody ever since. They will re-appear on 5 June 2024 for further investigation and consultation. Ends
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