A businessman who works from Reservoir Hills in Durban escaped the clutches of ruthless gunmen, who kidnapped and held him for a mammoth ransom of R1 million. Although he escaped, the deep-set emotional scars from the traumatising ordeal remain.

Anesh Chowtee (53), who resides in Westville, was kidnapped from his business premises in Reservoir Hills on the night of March 4. On the night he went to meet with his former employee, who had stated that he knew the location of equipment that had been stolen from the businessman two weeks ago.

Instead of gaining information, Chowtee was kidnapped by his ex-employee along with two pistol-wielding captors.

“They demanded money and I gave them what I had, which was about R12 000. I was forced into my van. One guy put a gun on my stomach and the other pointed his to the back of my head and forced me to drive. I was afraid for my life, so I complied.

“They took me to Westville and withdrew R5 000 from my credit card. They told me that we were going to Pietermaritzburg, so I drove very slowly because I did not want the journey to end as I did not know what awaited me there,” a traumatised Chowtee said.

The victim was taken to a house in rural Taylor’s Halt where his wife was contacted and a ransom demand of R1 million was made.

The ransom was reduced to R750, 000 when Chowtee’s wife stated that she could not raise that amount of money.

“After convincing these guys that my wife would not be able to raise that kind of money for my ransom, I told them that they could take me to the bank in the morning and I would withdraw R150, 000 and give it to them. They agreed.

“Earlier in the morning, they left to buy food and medication that I said I needed. I used that opportunity to convince a fourth guy, who said he was not part of the syndicate, to help me escape. After some discussing what I would pay him, he agreed,” the father of one added.

Chowtee, along with the man, whose name is known to the Rising Sun, trekked for five kilometres and flagged down a car on the way, which took them to the Taylor’s Halt police station. “

“After operating for 12 years in Reservoir Hills, I have decided to close down my business. I am traumatised by this experience and so is my wife. I am planning to seek counselling to help me deal with it, but for now, I am dependent on sleeping pills to help me get a good night’s sleep.

“My wife has also been shaken up by this ordeal to the extent that whenever I leave the house, she is constantly calling to check up on me. She lives in fear that this will happen again,” said a distraught Chowtee.

National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, confirmed that one suspect, identified as Hagge Yasse (32), appeared in the Pinetown Magistrates Court on charges of kidnapping, attempted extortion, robbery with aggravating circumstances and Contravention of the Immigration Act.

The matter was postponed to March 15, 2022.

Chairperson of the Reservoir Hills Community Policing Forum, Ish Prahladh, attributed the spike of such crimes to the challenges faced by the SAPS.

“Crime is high in our country and criminals know our forces are spread thin. Police vehicles are standing in repair shops for months. Unemployment is high and criminals are doing anything to get money. The kidnapping of businessmen has become a habit in our country. This has to stop. Crime prevention has to be taken to the highest level,” he told the Rising Sun.