Durban kidnapping syndicate operation cracked,woman rescued
On September 30, 2024, a 46-year-old Chinese national woman kidnapped from her bottle store in Kokstad. The kidnappers, a syndicate operating between Durban and Port Shepstone, held the victim hostage and initially demanded a ransom of 15 million rand.
FOLLOWING intense negotiations, the ransom was reduced to R305,000 (from15million), which the victim’s family reportedly paid into a designated bank account.
“However, after receiving the ransom, the kidnappers refused to release the victim and demanded an additional 1.2 million rand.”
“When negotiations reached a deadlock, a decision was made to initiate a rescue operation to safely retrieve the victim explained Durban Metro Police Service spokesperson, Colonel Boysie Zungu.
A multidisciplinary task force was formed, comprising Durban Metro Police’s Drug Team, Counter Narcotics units, and additional specialized law enforcement teams.
“Following leads and video surveillance, the team was able to identify and apprehend multiple suspects.
Also Read:Durban man rescued by police after alleged kidnapping
“Two female suspects were captured on video withdrawing the ransom from a bank in Durban CBD. One of the females was apprehended as she attempted to flee to another province. Two male suspects (one South African, one Zimbabwean) were arrested in Pinetown’s Paradise Valley, these suspects were involved in coordinating the syndicate’s operations. The Zimbabwean national played a key role in communications, using a Malawian cell number to contact the victim’s family, said Zungu.
Three more “kingpins” were located and arrested in Port Shepstone, these individuals were identified as the main organisers of the kidnapping.
Police also arrested one shack guard who was responsible for guarding the victim, who was reportedly found disoriented but physically unharmed in a shack. “She was immediately taken to a hospital in Port Shepstone for medical evaluation.”
Police added that through continuous operations from November 4 to 8, the task force successfully arrested a total of eight suspects, recovered valuable exhibits (including cell phones and vehicles used in the crime), and rescued the victim.
Also Read:Durban kidnap victim thanks Metro Police for saving him
One suspect appeared in Kokstad court on Friday and was remanded into custody until November 22, for a bail hearing. The remaining suspects will appear in court on November 11, allowing for further investigations and efforts to apprehend additional syndicate members.
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