Kidnapped matric learner Abdul Mateen Khalid says he had to endure 13 days in a tiny holding room, sleeping on the cold floor as his kidnappers tried to extort an R11.5m ransom from his family.

A special police task team made a breakthrough in the case late last week resulting in yesterday’s early morning raid on an outbuilding in Umzinto on the South Coast where the syndicate was holding Abdul.

There were tears of joy in the Khalid household in Orient Heights as Abdul was reunited with his family, who had spent sleepless nights praying for their son’s safe return.

Two weeks ago, Abdul was snatched by three men posing as police officers. The family was then contacted by the kidnappers who provided a proof-of-life video of their son being held and demanded the ransom.

Intensive crime intelligence-driven operation

An intensive crime intelligence-driven operation, which included the Hawks, crime intelligence and members of the special task force was then launched to track down the perpetrators and rescue Abdul.

The task team, which included police hostage negotiators, kept communication open with the kidnappers while investigations continued.

Late last week, detectives made their first breakthrough identifying and tracing vehicles used in the crime by analysing footage and information provided by private security firm Mi7’s camera surveillance system.

Three suspects were arrested, with one later being released. Investigations led police to Richmond where Abdul was being held but the syndicate had already fled the property.

Working around the clock detectives on Sunday evening traced the kidnappers to Umzinto and in an early morning raid yesterday swooped on the outbuilding arresting a further three suspects and safely rescuing Abdul.

The teenager was taken for a medical examination and was then given counselling by a social worker before being reunited with his family, who were anxiously awaiting his return home.

Yesterday at 14:00 Colonel Rumen Maistry from crime intelligence, Colonel Nelson Naicker from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks) and other members of the Hawks and task team, arrived bringing Abdul back to his family.

Emotional mother

Abdul’s mother Bhasharat Khalid couldn’t hold back her emotions as she spoke of her joy over her youngest son being found.

“I am so happy that he has been found. All our prayers have been answered. We have prepared all his favourite meals to eat and we have even set up a welcome banner inside. We are very thankful to Colonel Maistry and his team for all their work,” says Khalid, adding that she had pleaded with Abdul’s kidnappers not to harm him when she received the ransom call.

“I received a call at around 21:00 that evening informing us that Abdul had been kidnapped. I was shocked. I was crying and I begged them not to harm my son. The kidnapper then sent us proof of life with a video and demanded a ransom of R11.5m. I told them I did not have that kind of money and I continued to plead with them not to harm him.”

Kidnapped learner recounts ordeal

Recounting his ordeal Abdul says he had initially thought his kidnappers were police officers as they were wearing police vests and within minutes of being ‘arrested’ he knew he was being kidnapped.

He says he had to endure terrible conditions while being held for ransom.

“I was in a room that was only like three steps wide all around. There was no bed or anything. I slept on the floor. It was really cold at night as it was a mountainous area and there was only a carpet which I used to cover myself with at night. When I breathed, dust went into my mouth. I [could not] sleep at night. I missed my family and everyone at home. On Saturday they gave me a toothbrush. They would ask me how am I not crying while staying without my mother,” says Abdul.

During yesterday’s rescue operation, Abdul says, he heard people calling his name and then realised that help was on its way.

“As I looked out of the window, I saw three vehicles approach and the police officers then starting to search the area. At first I thought they had missed the outbuilding and would leave without rescuing me but I screamed out to them as they called my name. Before entering they checked repeatedly if any of my captors were in the room and then they entered.”

The Khalid family was inundated with calls of well wishes from friends and family yesterday and repeatedly praised Allah (God) for his mercy by chanting the phrase ‘Alhumdulilah’ which means ‘to God be the praise’.

Apart from the various police units involved in the operation private security companies RZS Security, Mi7 and Magma were acknowledged by the family and police for their assistance.