Hawks nab man over R1. 5 million kidnapping and robbery case
A 42-year-old man has been arrested in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape in connection with a kidnapping case in which two victims were robbed of more than R1.5 million.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks’ Mthatha-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, working with the Mthatha Public Order Police, carried out an intelligence-driven operation in the early hours of Monday.
The targeted raid took place at a homestead in Ngangelizwe. The operation was conducted under a search warrant authorising the suspect’s arrest.
“Upon arrival at the premises, police found the suspect in his room and he was apprehended on the spot,” said Hawks’ spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana.
He is the fifth suspect to be linked to the case, joining Ntsika Tyali, 38, Mpumelelo Nyosi, 41, Akhona Unathi Deyi, 51, and Fundile Tyali 38, who were arrested by the Hawks in 2024 and 2025.
The matter relates to an incident on June 6, 2024, in Engcobo, when two victims were allegedly attacked in their home by armed men.
“Apparently, the suspects barged into their homestead at Engcobo and pointed them with firearms. Further allegations revealed that the victims were forced into unknown vehicles to an unknown location and later, a ransom was demanded by the suspects,” said Mhlakuvana.
During the incident, the suspects allegedly took the victims’ bank cards and PIN numbers, withdrawing money in stages and buying expensive clothing from retail stores.
“As a result, the victims suffered a loss of over R1.5 million. Due to the pressure exerted upon the suspects by the investigating team, the victims were released a couple of days later,” police added.
The suspect is due to appear before the Engcobo Magistrate’s Court on September 2.
IOL News