EASTERN CAPE – A (44) year old suspect has been arrested by the Gqeberha based Serious Organised Crime Investigation team of the Hawks who worked tirelessly with Crime Intelligence (CI), Bethelsdorp Detectives and Gqeberha Hostage negotiators on 8 January 2024 for charges of kidnapping.
On Sunday the 7 January 2024, the suspect allegedly called the 18-year-old victim pretending to be taking him out as she used to. The suspect allegedly happened to be the girlfriend of the victim’s father. The victim reportedly came to the suspect’s vehicle, a white VW Golf 7 GTI and she drove away with him to an unknown place. The matter was reported to the nearest police station for investigation.
On 8 January 2024, a preliminary intelligence driven investigation by the team led to the arrest of the suspect. Further investigation exposed that the suspect allegedly conceded that she handed over the victim to her acquaintances. Furthermore, the reports divulged that the victim was kept for few hours by his kidnappers and due to the pressure exerted to the kidnappers by the team, the victim was later released. The VW Golf 7 GTI which was used during the kidnapping was recovered abandoned and was confiscated.
The suspect will make her first court appearance at Gelvandale Magistrate`s court on Wednesday 10 January 2024 on charges of kidnapping. The Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya admired the incredible efforts by joint the team for making sure that the suspect will face the mighty arm of the law.