Five suspects are to appear before the East London Magistrates court on Friday, on allegations of kidnapping, the Hawks said on Thursday.
The quintet was arrested in a joint effort by the East London Serious Organised Crime Investigation team of the Hawks, East London Flying Squad, Mdantsane Flying Squad and Crime Intelligence on Wednesday.
The arrest came after it was alleged that on 9 December 2024, at about 15:30, the victim was at his construction site conducting an inspection.
The victim and his business colleague were in the guard room, when an unknown suspect wearing a face mask carrying a firearm entered the guard room and instructed both to lie down.
Further reports indicated that whilst lying on the floor, his colleague noticed two more suspects also wearing face masks armed with firearms, who snatched the victim from the floor and took him to a white SUV that was parked outside which then drove off with him to an unknown location.
Later on in the day, the suspects reportedly contacted the victim’s family demanding a ransom.
Through intensive investigation by the joint team, the suspects were traced and arrested at Scenary Park in East London.
Further investigations led the team to Litha Township in King Williamstown, where the victim was allegedly kept.
On their arrival, the team searched the house and the victim was found inside where he was rescued unharmed on Monday.
“One suspect was inside the house and was apprehended on the spot. Search continued and a white Chevrolet Captiva SUV was confiscated as it was allegedly used to transport the victim. The victim was taken to hospital for medical treatment,” said the Hawks.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in the Eastern Cape, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya expressed his delight for the exceptional teamwork shown by officers. – SAnews.gov.za
