Alleged kidnapping victim found dead
His body was found three days later at the Putfontein off-ramp.
A man in his 30s was found dead near the Putfontein off-ramp, on October 27, after he was allegedly kidnapped.
According to information received from Captain Nomsa Sekele, spokesperson for the Benoni SAPS, this is the third similar incident around the city in the past two months. However, this is the first instance where the victim has been killed.
A similar incident was reported in Crystal Park.
Information indicates that the victim, a welder working with his brothers installing gates, received a call on October 24 from a potential client requesting a quotation.
“The victim drove from Rondebult, Boksburg, but once he reached Daveyton Road he called his brothers claiming that he is being kidnapped,” said Sekele.
“His brothers were unable to make further contact with him and contacted the police to report the matter.”
Later that evening, the family received a call from the victim’s phone demanding a ransom of R900 000.
“The callers were identified as Basotho nationals and were erratic in communicating with the family,” said Sekele.
“A day later, upon contacting the victim’s brother, the alleged kidnappers agreed to a sum of R20 000, but a meeting to hand over the cash was not established.
“Two days later his body was found.”
Police suspect that the victim may have been killed shortly after the kidnapping.
Further investigations into all three cases indicate that calls made from the victims’ phones originated in the vicinity of the N12 informal settlement.
The motive for the kidnappings and possible links are still under investigation. The community is urged to share any information via the MySAPS app or the CrimeStop hotline on 08600 1011.
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