Lebombo Border cop linked to high-profile KZN kidnapping

A Lebombo Border police officer has been linked to the high-profile kidnapping of KZN businessman, Zakariyya Desai, from a KwaDukuza mosque in September.

Desai, the owner of Desai’s Cash and Carry in KwaDukuza (formerly Stanger), was kidnapped on September 10 when a group of men armed with AK-47s drove into the mosque parking lot in a silver Volkswagen Polo after evening prayers, and reportedly fired shots as bystanders tried to stop the kidnapping.

Desai is still missing, but the KZN Hawks have cast their net wide, not only in search of the victim, but also in pursuit of those behind the kidnapping. So far this matter’s footprint stretches over three provinces: KZN, Gauteng and Mpumalanga.

Two Mozambican nationals, Esmael Nangy and Stefan Brites, were arrested in Gauteng on November 20. The following day, the KZN Hawks’ provincial tracking team raided two houses in Matsulu belonging to Lebombo Border police officer Sergeant Samkelo Honest Mlotshwa. This local policeman, who evaded capture that night, was eventually arrested late last week in Mbombela and taken to KZN where he made his first solo appearance in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court last Friday, December 6.

On Monday, Mlotshwa appeared in the same court along with Brites and Nangy, on charges of kidnapping. Nangy is understood to be an international kidnapping mastermind.

Their appearance was brief, owing to legal representation issues that still needed to be ironed out before their formal bail application next Tuesday, December 17.

The KZN Hawks’ spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo, suggested more arrests could follow as the family has still been receiving ransom demands since the arrests.

“There are other role players in these criminal activities, as others are still phoning to demand the ransom amount to be paid for his release. We are urging them to release the victim alive to any nearest police station, because, obviously, we shall leave no stone unturned,” said Mhlongo.

He said Desai’s loved ones expect him back alive so they can have closure, and added that law enforcement was working tirelessly to rescue Desai, ‘if he is still alive’.

‘Mistaken identity’

Mlotshwa first appeared on Lowvelder’s radar on November 21, the morning the police raided his properties.

Seemingly perplexed by the unexpected blitz, Mlotshwa contacted the publication, punting a ‘big story’. The KZN Hawks had apparently raided his two homes at 01:00 and set fire to one. As he was not at home, his neighbours called Mlotshwa to tell him some ‘armed criminals’ were breaking into his house.

Mlotshwa immediately contacted the Matsulu Police Station for them to investigate this, but upon their arrival, the police officers were told that the ‘armed criminals’ were in fact members of the KZN Hawks, investigating a kidnapping case against Mlotshwa. At the time, the now disgraced policeman claimed a case of mistaken identity and referred Lowvelder to his attorney for further comment.

Later that morning, provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, confirmed that the raid took place.

“Yes, I can confirm that the Matsulu police were not aware about the arrival of Hawks members, however, the Organised Crime Investigating Unit was aware that they were coming. That information was shared with the unit. Sometimes there are instances in which information is not shared with a specific station to prevent jeopardising investigations,” said Mdhluli.

Mlotshwa’s legal representative, advocate Vusi Segodi, confirmed his client’s house had been raided. However, he said he could not understand how his client could be linked to a kidnapping case. “I have known him for many years and he is just not capable of this,” he said.

According to Segodi, Mlotshwa claimed the Hawks had told the community that Mlotshwa was an abductor and that they should burn his house. “Indeed the house was set on fire and the so-called members of the Hawks failed to cordon it off and secure it as a crime scene,” said Segodi.

He confirmed an arson case was opened at the Matsulu Police Station.

Segodi said the Hawks then descended on Mlotshwa’s other house, searched it and found his service pistol, which they took to Matsulu Police Station.