By Thapelo Molefe
A 36-year-old man arrested in connection with an alleged kidnapping in Bizana in the Eastern Cape is expected to appear in the Mbizana Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The Hawks arrested the suspect on Friday during a crime intelligence-led operation at Highland View in Bizana.
Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said the case involved a young man who was allegedly kidnapped following a dispute over money on 25 September.
“After the kidnapping, the victim’s mother received a telephone call demanding ransom money in exchange for her son’s release,” Mhlakuvana said.
Police subsequently intercepted and arrested a person who had allegedly been sent to collect the ransom.
The victim later managed to escape while the alleged suspects were reportedly preoccupied with evading the police.
The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team took over the case and worked with Crime Intelligence to follow up on leads and trace those allegedly involved.
The 36-year-old suspect was arrested during Friday’s operation, and his cellphone was seized for further examination.
He is expected to face a charge of kidnapping when he appears in court on Monday.
Mhlakuvana said investigations were continuing as police worked to trace other suspects allegedly implicated in the incident and establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged kidnapping.
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