A 35-year-old man faces court on Monday after allegedly receiving a R150 000 ransom in a kidnapping case.
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Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi, spokesperson for the Hawks, says a 20-year-old man was kidnapped about eight months ago in Strand. According to News24, his family allegedly paid a R150 000 ransom for his release.
The incident is but one of many this year, as the majority of kidnappings across the province during the first half of 2023 occurred in Cape Town. According to the Western Cape Government’s latest crime statistics, 187 cases of kidnapping were recorded in the City between April and June.
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On Friday, the Western Cape multi-disciplinary kidnapping task team, which includes the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Provincial Organised Crime, Crime Intelligence, and the Hostage Negotiation Team, arrested the alleged kidnapper after receiving information about his whereabouts in Bellville.
‘The team pounced on the suspect and arrested him,’ says Vukubi. ‘Further investigation revealed that the suspect is also wanted on the case of extortion and intimidation that occurred in Strandfontein during October this year.’
The 35-year-old is scheduled to appear in the Strand Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
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LEAP officers discover kidnap victim during Forest Village patrol
Picture: Jose P. Ortiz / Unsplash