Four suspects arrested after kidnapping victim found dead in shallow grave

Four suspects who demanded a R100 000 ransom from a victim’s family were caught, facing charges of kidnapping, extortion and murder after the victim was found dead in a grave. 

Hawks spokesperson, Siyabulela Vukubi, said the victim was allegedly kidnapped on May 16 in Kraaifontein and was last seen by a friend who reported that the victim went to Bellville to view a vehicle they were planning to buy but never came back.

Vukubi said: “Instead, another friend of the victim received a call from the victim reporting that he had been kidnapped and was being assaulted. Simultaneously, a ransom of R100 000 for the victim’s release was demanded by the suspects. Further phone calls were made by the suspects whereby the ransom was reduced to R10 000. The suspects subsequently provided a bank account where the money should be deposited into. It was alleged that an amount of R5 000 was deposited to that bank account and the suspects continued to demand the balance.”

Members attached to the Hawks multi-disciplinary intelligence led the operation along with the provincial anti-kidnapping unit and hostage negotiation and followed all leads which led them to an address in Phillippi and Kleinvlei on May 17. 

The suspects aged between 29 and 42 were arrested who were questioned on the victim’s whereabouts.

Vukubi said: “Further probe led the team to an open field on the dunes between Monwabisi Beach and Macassar, where one of the suspects pointed out a shallow grave where the victim was killed and buried.

“The Hawks' Provincial Head, Major-General Makgato praised the team for their precise and resilient investigation into this matter which brought about this breakthrough.

"He further retaliated that SAPS will leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators to book.”

The suspects are expected to appear in Kuils River Magistrate's Court on Monday.

Cape Argus