Seven in court for kidnapping
A businesswoman's family handed over R300 000 to the kidnappers, but they did not release her.
Seven suspects who were arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a Chinese businesswoman were refused bail in the Kokstad Magistrate’s Court on Monday last week.
They held the businesswoman captive for more than a month.
Ayanda Zulu (21), Thandekile Shozi (33), Lwazi Shangase (23), Lithulethu Mangesana (34), Lithalethu Mangesana (34), Sydwell Tugilizwe (48) and Bertwell January (36) will be back in court on November 22.
At the time of the incident, the woman was taken with her security guard in her vehicle, which was later found abandoned at Bhongweni area in Kokstad. The security guard was dropped off in the area, and the suspects disappeared with the woman.
They were nabbed by Hawks members from Port Shepstone Serious Organised Crime Investigation working together with Crime Intelligence Technical Surveillance, Special Task Force, Durban Metro Police and Counter Narcotics.
Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo said a case of kidnapping was reported at Kokstad police station, and the case docket was allocated to the Hawks for investigation.
The day after the kidnapping, the suspects demanded a ransom of R15m. After negotiations, R305 000 was paid to them, but they did not release the victim as agreed.
“The suspects contacted the victim’s family last week and demanded a further R1.2m. The Hawks intensified their investigation and arrested one suspect last Wednesday. Her arrest yielded positive results, and the victim was found alive. The remaining suspects were arrested last Friday,” said Mhlongo.
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