A man believed to be part of gang who kidnapped a man in Folweni and threatened him to disclose his bankcard PIN by making him believe his daughter was also kidnapped, was denied bail and remanded in custody after appearing in the Umbumbulu Magistrate’s Court recently.

Sihle Magubane (38) was arrested in a joint operation by SAPS and officers from Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA).

According to a statement issued by RUSA after the kidnapping in June, the suspects overpowered the victim and took him to an unknown location while he was tied and blindfolded.

“The victim was led to believe that they had also kidnapped his daughter and would kill her if he didn’t provide his ATM card pin.

They withdrew R10 000 cash and decided to withdraw the balance from inside the bank the next day after reaching the maximum daily withdrawal limit,” reads the statement.

The following day, the gang allegedly transported the man to a bank on Moss Street in Verulam, north of Durban, and instructed him to enter and withdraw the remaining funds.

“When his blindfold was removed, the man took a mental note of the driver and the registration of the car he was driving. He entered the bank and informed the teller that he believed his daughter was being held hostage.

Verulam SAPS were contacted by a bank employee, and the police informed RUSA officers of the possible hostage situation,” reads the statement.

RUSA reaction officers and SAPS kept observation and then converged on the scene and arrested Magubane. The vehicle used in the alleged kidnapping, a silver Ford Ranger, was seized.

Officers searching for the victim’s 16-year-old daughter found her unharmed at her school.

Magubane will be back in court on Wednesday, August 24.