Accused in child kidnapping case to start bail arguments
|Published
Abira Dekhta at home after she was found in Khayelitsha. Abira and her mother Salma Dekhta.Photographer Ayanda Ndamane African News Agency(ANA)
Cape Town – Arguments in the bail application of the seven men accused of kidnapping eight-year-old Abira Dekhta from Gatesville are expected to begin today at the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court.
And, police have confirmed a cold case of a Cape businessman remains unsolved.
The group of suspects in Abira’s case can’t be identified as yet. They are facing charges under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, child pornography, attempted extortion and contravention of the Cybercrime Act.
Previously, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that accused five and six ‘s legal team had made applications to have access to the content of the docket.
Last week, the Daily Voice reported that a Zimbabwean male had been added to the group, making the total of suspects eight.
NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed arguments are expected to begin at the courthouse today.
Abira, was in Grade 2 at Rylands Primary school, last year, when she got kidnapped from the front seat of her school transport vehicle on November 4 by armed men.
The NPA confirmed that police observed three men who were patrolling outside the house and that four other men were inside the house when they made the arrest in November.
During an interview, Abira’s father, Aslam Dekhta, said he didn’t believe his family was targeted and said his daughter was well cared for.
He explained that the kidnappers allowed her to relieve herself and wash and fed her KFC burgers and McDonalds.
He further stated that the kidnappers had threatened her via phone calls, stating they were going to cut off her finger and sell her somewhere.
He added the kidnapping was for ransom but didn’t disclose how much the kidnappers demanded.
Dekhta said they didn’t pay a cent to the kidnappers because of the rescue by police.
Dekhta owns a cellphone shop in Gatesville.
Police have also confirmed the three-year kidnapping of Cape businessman Mohammed Noor Karriem remains unsolved.
Karriem, 64, was forced into his kidnappers’ vehicle outside of his business, Sweets For Africa shop in Epping on September 23 2019.
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie, explained: “Kindly be advised that the matter you are referring to is still under investigation. The mentioned person hasn’t yet been reunited with his relatives.”
Claims were that a ransom in the millions had been paid to the kidnappers after a demand of R20 million was made but nothing was proved publicly via a statement from the police or family.
Anyone with information that can lead to the safe return of Karriem is requested to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.