The Provincial Kidnapping Task Team of Serious Organised Crime Investigation of the Hawks jointly with East London Detective Tracing Team arrested three (3) suspects aged between 32 and 38 on 21 December 2023 for allegations of kidnapping, armed robbery, extortion, theft of money and money laundering.
The trio has been added to their co-accused who are relatives Mlandeli Gwadiso (43) the security guard to the victim and Bonginkosi Gwadiso (25) whom were arrested on the 17 November 2023 for allegations of kidnapping, conspiracy to kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice. The suspects who are relatives have been remanded in custody.
Their arrest is emanating from the foreign national that was allegedly kidnapped on 17 November 2023 by four (4) unidentified armed suspects which came from nowhere inside the warehouse yard. Further allegations revealed that the victim was in his vehicle during the time he was approached by the suspects and reportedly pointed him with firearm, 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 the three additional suspects were involved in the planning to kidnap the victim.
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 divulged that the trio was amongst the suspects that evaded the arrest during the time where the duo was arrested by the investigators.
On 21 December 2023, the investigation team received information about the suspects’ whereabouts and the white Opel Corsa bakkie that was allegedly used as a gateway car that was seen at the warehouse during the incident of kidnapping which was spotted in suspects’ residence. The team followed the information, on their arrival indeed the said vehicle was parked inside the yard and it was seized for further investigation. The suspects’ cell phones and flash speed point machines were also seized.
The trio was ultimately arrested by the joint effort on 21 December 2023 and are expected to make their first court appearance at East London Magistrate’s court on 27 December 2023.
The Acting-Provincial Head of the Hawks Brigadier Selina Motlalepula Maponya applauded the team efforts in ensuring that the accused persons face the consequences of their actions. She further assured the community that information which was provided was of great help and treated in confidentiality.
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