Two Cape Town police officers arrested for kidnapping foreign national

Two City of Cape Town Law Enforcement officers are facing serious criminal charges after allegedly kidnapping and extorting a foreign national, in an incident that occurred on Wednesday, 14 May.

The suspects, aged 36 and 41, were arrested on Tuesday this week.

They are facing charges of kidnapping and extortion after allegedly detaining the asylum seeker and demanding ransom for his release in Khayelitsha.

The two law enforcement officers are scheduled to appear before the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 22 May, to face the charges formally.

“These officers will have their day in court where they will answer to the serious charges of kidnapping and extortion,” police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg stated.

#sapsWC Two City of Cape Town Law Enforcement officers are facing serious criminal charges following an incident that occurred on Wednesday, 14/05 at a supermarket in iLitha Park, Khayelitsha.

The suspects, aged 36 and 41, were arrested on Tuesday, 20 May 2025, and are facing… pic.twitter.com/UqKSSiKiKI

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) May 21, 2025

Cape Town police kidnapping incident at Khayelitsha supermarket

According to Twigg, the incident unfolded at a supermarket in iLitha Park, Khayelitsha, where the officers confronted a man regarding his documentation status.

“The officers approached the individual at the supermarket and requested to see his asylum documentation,” said Twigg.

“When the man was unable to produce the required documents, they allegedly instructed him to accompany them.”

Instead of following proper legal procedures, the officers allegedly held the man against his will and made financial demands for his release.

“The officers later demanded a ransom for the victim’s release, contacting his brother to arrange payment,” Twigg explained.

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Foreign national ransom payment release

The situation escalated when the victim’s family was forced to gather funds to secure his freedom.

“The victim’s brother managed to gather an undisclosed amount of cash, which he handed over to the officers,” said Twigg.

“Only after receiving this payment did they release the victim.”

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Cape Town officers arrested for extortion

The case was investigated by a coalition of specialised law enforcement units working together to apprehend the suspects.

“Members of the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Task Team, POCC Operational Combat Task Team, Cape Town K9 Unit, and the City of Cape Town’s Special Investigations Unit conducted the arrests after the officers were positively identified by the complainant,” Twigg confirmed.

Following thorough investigation procedures, legal steps were taken to apprehend the suspects.

“The investigating officer applied for arrest warrants, which were subsequently granted by the court, allowing us to take the suspects into custody,” said Twigg.

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