The Multi-Disciplinary Intelligence led operation comprising of the Hawks, Provincial Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Hostage Negotiation resulted in the arrest of four suspects aged between 29 and 42 on 17 May 2025 on charges of Kidnapping, Extortion and Murder.
Their arrest follows after a victim was allegedly kidnapped in Kraaifontein on 16 May 2025. The victim was last seen by a friend who reported that the victim (friend) went to Bellville to view a vehicle he intended to purchase and never came back. Instead another friend of the victim received a call from the victim reporting that he had been kidnapped and being assaulted.
Simultaneously, a ransom of R100 000 for the victim’s release was demanded by the suspects. Further phone calls were made by the suspects whereby the ransom was reduced to R10 000-00.
The suspects subsequently provided a bank account where the money should be deposited into. It was alleged that an amount of R5000.00 was deposited to that bank account and the suspects continued to demand the balance.
On 17 May 2025, the team followed all the leads that led them to addresses in Philippi and Kleinvlei which resulted in the arrest of the suspects.
Further probe led the team to an open field on the dunes between Monwabisi beach and Macassar, where one of the suspects pointed out a shallow grave where the victim was killed and buried.
The Hawks’ Provincial Head, Major General Makgato praised the team for their precise and resilient investigation into this matter which brought about this breakthrough. He further retaliated that SAPS will leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators to book.
All four suspects are expected to appear at the Kuilsriver Magistrates Court on 19 May 2025.