From ATM trail to asset seizure: How police cracked Stellenbosch kidnapping case
The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Western Cape has had R89,000 seized by court order after two Zimbabwean nationals were arrested for allegedly kidnapping and extorting a University of Stellenbosch student.
The suspects, Truth Mambemba and Takudzwa Chauruka, face charges including kidnapping, two counts of rape, robbery with aggravating circumstances, extortion, illegal possession of a firearm, and entering South Africa illegally.
The alleged crime took place on October 2, 2024, when the 20-year-old student was returning from a club and was forced into a vehicle by the suspects.
“She only remembers being inside a vehicle, sitting in the passenger seat with two strange men in the same vehicle, one driving and another sitting in the back seat.
“The two men drove with her to the highway, where they stopped the vehicle and raped her while threatening her with a firearm. They then demanded her cellphone’s password, and she gave it to them,” said NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila.
The men allegedly extorted R200,000 from her parents by forcing her to make a video call demanding money.
Police tracked the suspects after viewing ATM withdrawals and CCTV footage.
“Police arrested the accused, and they are incarcerated at Pollsmoor Prison after the Stellenbosch Magistrate’s Court dismissed their bail application.”
During the arrest, authorities recovered R89,000 in cash, the student’s cellphone, and her bank card.
“The AFU successfully applied and obtained a preservation order for the same amount of money on September 15, 2025, and the forfeiture order was successfully obtained on February 12,” added Ntabazalila.
He added that the NPA aims to target criminals’ assets.
“The NPA will continue to hit suspected criminals where it hurts the most and will continue to use asset recovery as a strategic prosecutorial tool.”
The accused remain behind bars, and their criminal case is scheduled to return to the Stellenbosch Magistrate’s Court on March 3.
IOL News