| Seven suspects in custody for kidnapping | |
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| Date Published: | 2024/11/10 |
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Media Statement KWAZULU-NATAL - On Friday, 8 November 2024, Hawks members from Port Shepstone Serious Organised Crime Investigation working together with Crime Intelligence Technical Surveillance, Special Task Force, Durban Metro Police and Counter Narcotics arrested seven suspects, aged between 21 and 48, for kidnapping of a Chinese business woman. On 30 September 2024, a 46-year-old female was accosted by the suspects whilst she was closing her bottle store in Kokstad. She was taken together with her security guard in her vehicle which was later found abandoned at Bhongweni area in Kokstad. The security guard was dropped off in the vicinity and the suspects disappeared with the victim. A case of kidnapping was reported at Kokstad police station and the case docket was allocated to the Hawks members for intensive investigation. The following day, the suspects made a phone call demanding a ransom of R15 million. After long negotiations R305 000.00 was paid to the suspects but they did not release the victim as agreed. Last week, the suspects contacted the family of the victim again and demanded another ransom of R1.2 million. Hawks members intensified their investigation and worked tirelessly until they arrested one suspect on Wednesday, 6 November 2024. Her arrest yielded positive results and the victim was found alive. She was taken to hospital for medical examination and more suspects were arrested. They are expected to appear in the Kokstad Magistrates Court tomorrow, 11 November 2024. More arrests are expected.
The KwaZulu-Natal Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Provincial Head, Major General (Dr) Lesetja Senona applauded the members for the good work.
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