A multi-disciplinary team consisting of Kidnapping Task Team of Serious Organised Crime Investigation of the Hawks, East London Public Order Police, East London Flying Squad and Provincial Hostage Negotiators made a massive breakthrough in ensuring three suspects, aged between 20 and 67, appeared before East London Magistrate’s Court on 12 February 2025. The trio is facing allegations of kidnapping.
Their court appearance came after a nine-year old victim was allegedly kidnapped by unknown suspects on 03 February 2025. The reports indicated that the victim was coming from school at Buffalo Flats to her home, where two unidentified suspects accosted her into a silver grey Toyota corolla to an unknown place.
Through a meticulous investigation by the joint team led to the arrest of the suspects on 05 February 2025. The trio appeared before East London Magistrate’s court the next day, where they were remanded in custody for bail contents. All three suspects were positively linked with the aforesaid kidnapping. Due to the pressure exerted by the joint team resulted to the victim being released by the suspects in the early hours of 12 February 2025, unharmed near Inyibiba police station.
The suspects appeared before East London Magistrate’s court on 12 February 2025 and the matter was remanded to 19 February 2025 for formal bail application. The threesome is remanded in custody and more arrest are imminent as the investigation continues.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks Major General Obed Ngwenya applauded the joint team for the sterling job in apprehending the suspects and bringing the minor unharmed.