Cape Town – An 84-year-old British national was rescued from a kidnapping ordeal in Worcester, thanks to the swift actions of a multi-disciplinary Anti-Kidnapping Task Team.
According to police spokesperson Captain Frederick C. van Wyk, the task force comprised the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation Unit, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), and Crime Intelligence.
Van Wyk said that the incident began on Friday, October 4, 2024, when a case of hijacking and kidnapping was reported at the Robertson SAPS.
The victim was abducted around 12:10 PM on La Chasseur Road in Robertson.
Intelligence gathering led to her location the following day, Saturday, October 5, at approximately 9:40 AM, where she was found in an unoccupied shack in Zwelethemba, Worcester, Van Wyk said.
After her rescue, the victim was taken to a medical facility for observation.
“Arrests are yet to be made as all leads are perused in a bid to apprehend those responsible.
#sapsWC A multi-disciplinary Anti-Kidnapping Task Team comprising of the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation Unit, DPCI and Crime Intelligence successfully traced and rescued an 84-year-old #kidnapped victim this morning in Zwelethemba, Worcester. Anyone with info on the… pic.twitter.com/rNSOE2FvEp
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) October 5, 2024
“Anyone with information about this incident is kindly requested to contact the investigating officer Detective Brigadier Makhaya Mkabile on 082 2226746 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS App,” said Van Wyk.
In a separate but related operation, the same multi-disciplinary team arrested two foreign nationals, aged 24 and 25, for kidnapping and extortion.
This incident occurred on Thursday, October 3, 2024, around 2:40 AM, when a 20-year-old woman was abducted while walking home from a restaurant on Plein Street, Stellenbosch.
“An unknown vehicle with two occupants stopped and kidnapped the victim. During the course of events, the suspects demanded a ransom from the family of the hostage. The family immediately paid the money where after the victim was released on Friday, 04 October 2024. She was immediately taken for a medical examination. A case of kidnapping and extortion was opened for investigation,” Van Wyk said.
Following the victim’s release, police identified a black BMW linked to the crime through the Licence Plate Recognition system.
The vehicle was traced to the George area, where the two suspects were found and detained.
An undisclosed amount of cash, along with the phone used for the ransom demands, was recovered from the car.
The suspects have been charged and are scheduled to appear in the Stellenbosch Magistrate’s Court.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Pixabay
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
