Hijacking Kidnapping police

The National Task Team led a rescue operation on Monday. Photo: SAPS / Twitter

Police rescue ‘tortured’ businessperson from kidnappers in Khayelitsha

Western Cape Police vowed to eradicate extortion in the province. Two suspects were arrested for allegedly kidnapping a Chinese businessperson for ransom. The victim sustained serious burn and assault wounds.

Hijacking Kidnapping police

The National Task Team led a rescue operation on Monday. Photo: SAPS / Twitter

Two armed men allegedly forced a Chinese businessperson into a vehicle on Monday night, 21 June. The suspects then reportedly demanded a hefty ransom for the victim’s release. Police in the Western Cape managed to rescue the businessperson on Thursday. A pair of suspects were arrested

BUSINESSPERSON KIDNAPPED

According to South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in the Western Cape, Brigadier Novela Potelwa, two suspects – aged 35 and 31 – approached the Chinese businessperson, 47, outside his establishment in Strand on Monday.

“Reports at the disposal of police indicate the victim was accosted by two armed men in Strand while he was approaching his vehicle,” said Potelwa.

The suspects forced the man into their vehicle and allegedly “demanded a substantial amount of cash” in exchange for the victim’s release.

MULTIDISCIPLINARY POLICE TEAM EXECUTES RESCUE MISSION

A multidisciplinary team, made up of members from the National Intervention Unit, Special Task Force, Crime Intelligence and provincial organised crime detectives, obtained crucial information about the whereabouts of the kidnapping victim.

The police descended on a shack in Makhaza, Khayelitsha on Thursday afternoon and rescued the victim.

“He had sustained serious burn and assault wounds after he was tortured by his kidnappers,” said Potelwa. The victim was admitted to hospital for treatment.

The two arrestees are from Lwandile and Khayelitsha and are expected to appear in the Strand Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 28 June.

The suspects face charges of assault GBH, kidnapping and extortion. Potelwa added that more charges could be added as the investigation unfolds.

The Western Cape police said its “unrelenting efforts” to fight extortion rackets and extortion-linked crimes are paying dividends and the arrest of the two suspects are a testament to this. “The efforts of the integrated team are commended as the fight against scourge of extortion in the Western Cape intensifies,” said Potelwa.