The Western Cape police kidnapping task team apprehended an individual known as Sivuyile ‘Lolo’ Mki, an alleged kidnapping kingpin who is believed to be the mastermind behind a series of kidnappings targeting foreigners.
Also read: Welgemoed kidnapping victim reunited with her family
The arrest of Sivuyile ‘Lolo’ Mki and seven other individuals suspected of involvement is a step closer to disrupting the activities of a network of criminals operating in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.
On Thursday, 8 June 2023, the Hawks made an announcement stating that Sivuyile ‘Lolo’ Mki, along with Yamkela Gedeni, Mandisi Mzikayise Zweni, Athenkosi France Nyathi, Lwandile Mngazana, Lwazi Landzela, Siyabulela Madini and Zolile Sombo, stood before the Bellville Magistrates’ Court. Their arrests took place in Mfuleni on Tuesday, following a police investigation triggered by valuable information regarding the abduction of a woman from Welgemoed.
The 31-year-old woman was found at a house in Mfuleni on Tuesday, after she was kidnapped outside her family’s factory in Parow Industria on Friday evening.
Zinzi Hani, the spokesperson for the Hawks, shared that the victim’s vehicle was discovered abandoned at NY 99 in Gugulethu. As a result, all eight men involved in this case are now confronted with multiple charges, encompassing kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, extortion and theft.
Hani said, ‘The task team comprising Hawks, provincial organised crime detectives, crime intelligence, special task force members, hostage negotiators, Cape Town city officials and provincial crime scene managers worked tirelessly to ensure the suspects were arrested.’
TimesLIVE Investigations, with the support of grant funding from the Henry Nxumalo Foundation, has dedicated months to researching the activities of kidnapping for ransom syndicates in Khayelitsha. Their findings have indicated that Mki is believed to be one of the key orchestrators behind these abductions, orchestrated by local groups operating within Cape Town, reported Sowetan Live.
In contrast to the so-called ‘mega-syndicates’ that have prominent figures operating from Mozambique and predominantly targeting affluent Muslim businessmen of Indian origin, the local groups have shifted their focus towards smaller foreign shop owners and, notably, South Africans.
Mki, reportedly associated with the taxi industry and believed to be a taxi owner himself, is said to have connections with Xolani Jiyose, another taxi owner who was apprehended in December 2022 for his involvement in a brutal abduction case. This particular incident involved the violent kidnapping of two Thai businessmen from Mowbray, resulting in the death of one of the hostages due to the injuries sustained during their captivity.
With these recent arrests, the Western Cape kidnapping task team has now apprehended approximately 36 individuals since its inception in October 2022.
The case has been postponed until Thursday, 15 June 2023 for a bail hearing.
Also read:
Cape Town engineer in court for kidnapping and assaulting a police officer
Picture: Facebook
