Five Suspects to Appear in Court
By Lerato Mpembe
Five suspects are set to appear before the East London Magistrates’ Court on Friday, facing allegations of kidnapping, according to the Hawks. The arrests were made on Wednesday through a collaborative effort by the East London Serious Organised Crime Investigation team of the Hawks, East London Flying Squad, Mdantsane Flying Squad, and Crime Intelligence.
The incident reportedly occurred on 9 December 2024, around 15:30, when the victim was inspecting his construction site. While in the guard room with a business colleague, an unknown suspect, masked and armed, entered and ordered them to lie down. Two additional masked and armed suspects then appeared, forcibly taking the victim to a white SUV parked outside, which then departed to an undisclosed location. Later that day, the suspects contacted the victim’s family, demanding a ransom.
Through intensive investigation, the joint team traced and arrested the suspects in Scenery Park, East London. Further inquiries led them to Litha Township in King William’s Town, where the victim was found unharmed on Monday. One suspect present at the location was apprehended, and a white Chevrolet Captiva SUV, allegedly used in the abduction, was confiscated. The victim was taken to hospital for medical treatment.
Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, Provincial Head of the Hawks in the Eastern Cape, commended the exceptional teamwork displayed by the officers.
This incident adds to a series of kidnappings in the Eastern Cape. In August 2024, three suspects were arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a Chinese national in Qonce.  In July 2023, East London businessman Pramesh Hooka was abducted outside his business and released three days later with visible injuries.  These cases highlight a concerning trend of kidnappings in the region, prompting intensified efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat such crimes.
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