Cape Town – Two men who reportedly kidnapped two businesswomen were arrested in Cape Town after they allegedly withdrew ransom money paid by the victims’ families.
It is alleged the suspected kidnappers demanded R400 000.
The suspects aged 37 and 48 reportedly appeared at the Khayelitsha Magistrates Court on Thursday in connection with the kidnapping of the two women who ran a hair extension business.
According to Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani, the two women were kidnapped on November 21 while driving in Mandela Park, Khayelitsha, reported TimesLIVE.
“The kidnappers are said to have called one of the victims’ sisters on her cellphone and demanded a R400 000 ransom.
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“After negotiating with the kidnappers, the family agreed to pay R30 000 and the kidnappers instructed them to pay the money via Capitec Bank’s cash send,” the report quoted Hani as saying.
IOL reported that the suspects were tracked after withdrawing the money at a Capitec ATM in Zevenwacht.
“After the cash withdrawals, the kidnappers were confronted by the police while walking towards their vehicle and were arrested. Cellphones and cash were confiscated as well as a black VW Polo,” the report quoted Hani as saying.
The victims were rescued and taken to hospital after they escaped from where they were kept hostage and ran toward Monwabisi beach where they managed to call their family, the report said.
The case was postponed to December 13 for formal bail application, said Hani.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe