Media Statement from KwaZulu Natal Media Centre

Corporate Communication

South African Police Service

11 October 2013

On 13 October 2013 at approximately 16:00 Zwanani Blose was at home at Emsahweni area, KwaMakhutha when he was allegedly kidnapped by six armed suspects who were driving their yellow Volvo motor vehicle. It is alleged that he was pistol whipped and loaded in the boot of the car before they fled away with him. The matter was reported to the police and Crime Intelligence started to conduct ground coverage and victim was located at a house at Mantashini area in KwaMakhutha on the same day. KwaMakhutha SAPS members were mobilized and a house was searched.

The victim was found handcuffed in the house and he was freed by the members. Seven unlicensed firearms, including .22 rifle, air gun, revolver and pistols with 147 liver rounds of ammunition were also found from the house and four suspects were arrested. All recovered firearms will be sent for ballistic tests to establish if they were used in any other crimes in the province. They were charged with kidnapping and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The arrested suspects aged between 31 and 67 are due to appear today, 14 October 2013 in the Umbumbulu Magistrate's Court. The motive for a kidnapping is unknown at this stage.

The Provincial Commissioner for KwaZulu-Natal, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni commended the police officers for the swift arrests. "Had police not arrested these men they would have continued their reign of terror in the KwaKwaMakhutha and surrounding areas," she said.

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Media Enquiries:

Captain Zwane

0716836525

KwaZulu-Natal: Media Centre

South African Police Service

Corporate Communication

031 325 6083/6084/6085

031 325 6087

kzn.mediacentre@saps.gov.za