Cape Town – A Central University of Technology lecturer, Khahliso Makhetha, who has been missing since May 5, has been confirmed to have been kidnapped, according to Free State police.
After over a month, the police located Makhetha’s black Ford Fiesta in Lesotho, where two suspects were apprehended, News24 reported.
The suspects will remain in Lesotho until proper procedures are followed to bring them back to the Free State, the police said on Tuesday.
Additionally, three more suspects were arrested in Thabong and Bronville for their involvement in the case.
The suspects have appeared in court on charges of kidnapping and hijacking, and their bail application has been postponed.
According to police, preliminary investigation revealed Makhetha was hijacked, kidnapped, and the vehicle sold.
“The missing person has not been found yet, and the search by the investigation team continues,” the report quoted police spokesperson Captain Stephen Thakeng as saying.
Last month, the family of the missing 28-year-old lecturer, pleaded for his safe return.
ALSO READ | ‘We just want him found alive,’ says family of missing university lecturer
He was last seen at Calabira in Meloding, where he was staying with his brother.
According to Bloemfontein Courant, Thakeng said at the time that Makhetha’s brother informed police that he thought Makgetla visited a friend to watch soccer that day, however, he never returned.
Thakeng said the brother further informed police that he tried calling the missing Makgetla on Sunday 7 May 2023, but his phone rang and was not answered.
“His family and friends were later contacted about his whereabouts but all in vain. Police were also informed that Makgetla has never been at work at a university in Welkom since his disappearance,” the report said.
Thakeng described Makhetha as short and light in complexion, saying he has a short haircut, Sunday World reported.
“His wife, who is residing in Johannesburg, was also contacted and related that she last spoke with her husband on Sunday,” said Thakeng.
“The room where he resided was searched and his cell phone and wallet could not be found. The missing person left with his black Ford Fiesta with registration number HKL 032 FS,” the report quoted Thakeng as saying.
A distraught relative told News24 that the family was pleading for his safe return.
“We’ve searched all hospitals and mortuaries, but nothing. We just want him found alive,” the relative said.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Supplied
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
