Zimbabweans Charged with Kidnapping: Ransom Demand of R5 Million

Three Zimbabweans have been charged with kidnapping a Cape Town man, demanding R5 million. Arrests were made during a police operation after ransom demands were issued to the family. The victim was rescued, suffering serious injuries but is stable. The case is set for a bail hearing on March 14.

Three nationals from Zimbabwe were brought before the Stellenbosch Regional Court on Monday, facing serious allegations of kidnapping a man from Cape Town and demanding a ransom of R5 million. The accused, Luckmore Tawanda Muzhira, Takudzwa Trust Nzounhenda, and Itai Elvis Takawira, aged 28, 35, and 39 respectively, are charged with assault, extortion, robbery, and kidnapping. Their case has been postponed to March 14 for a formal bail application.

The three individuals were arrested during a coordinated multi-disciplinary operation on Friday, which involved the Hawks, the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation, and the Police’s Provincial Organised Crime, Hostage Negotiation Team, along with the Boland K9 Unit. This operation was initiated following a complaint regarding a missing man who had last been seen visiting a shop in Stellenbosch last Thursday, after which his family began receiving ransom demands.

A police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi, provided critical insights regarding the timeline of events. The victim’s family reportedly received a ransom request via WhatsApp, with the sender claiming knowledge of the victim’s location and demanding R100,000 in exchange. Subsequently, a video surfaced showing the victim blindfolded and tied up, coupled with threats against his life if the demands were not met.

Remarkably, the dedicated efforts of the police unit led to the victim’s rescue. Despite sustaining serious head injuries, he was reported to be in stable condition following medical evaluation. The investigation disclosed the identification of suspected vehicles related to the kidnapping, culminating in the successful recovery of the victim from a black Volkswagen near Stellenbosch, where he was found and subsequently taken for medical care.

In review, three Zimbabwean nationals are facing legal charges for the alleged kidnapping of a Cape Town man, with a ransom demand totaling R5 million. Their arrest was the result of a sophisticated police operation, initiated based on alarming ransom communications received by the victim’s family. Fortunately, the victim was successfully rescued, albeit with significant injuries, and further legal proceedings are anticipated as the situation progresses.

Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com