A businessman kidnapped in Mbombela almost two months ago returned home safely yesterday (June 8), reports Lowvelder.

Hawks Mpumalanga spokesperson Colonel Magonseni Nkosi confirmed his return and said that the investigation is ongoing. “Currently we have to engage the family, but we cannot rush, as we understand their situation. As soon as everything settles down, we will have more detailed information,” he added.

Two suspects, aged 42 and 37, have been charged with kidnapping and attempted extortion. They appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court earlier today (June 9) for a formal bail application. The court outcome was not known at the time of publishing.

According to reports, the abduction unfolded while the man was returning home to Shandon Estate, a wildlife sanctuary in Mbombela, with his daughter.

His vehicle was allegedly forced to stop after a collision on Von Braun Street, where armed suspects forced him from his vehicle into theirs and fled the scene with him. The man’s daughter was reportedly left physically unharmed.

Although the victim’s identity is known to Lowvelder, the publication has chosen not to publish it for legal and ethical reasons. The identities of the accused have also been withheld. In terms of the South African criminal justice system, the media may not publish the identities of accused persons facing extortion-related charges before they have pleaded in court.

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