The Provincial Commissioner of South African Police Service in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe is excited about the arrest of two suspects believed to be Ethiopian nationals this morning in connection with the kidnapping of a 20-year-old fellow National. The victim was allegedly kidnapped in Giyani Policing precinct on 09 September 2023.
The duo aged 20 and 22 were apprehended in the morning of Thursday, 14 September 2023 at Orange Farm, Norwood in Gauteng Province during a sting operation that was executed by the Limpopo Provincial Organised Crime Unit, Giyani Crime Intelligence Unit and National Special Task Force Unit.
It is reported that on 09 September 2023, a 20-year-old male Ethiopian National was kidnapped allegedly by his fellow countrymen who later demanded a ransom amounting to R80 000-00 from his relatives. The matter was immediately reported to the local Police who opened a kidnapping case and commenced with the investigations.
Intensive investigations led the Police to Norwood, Gauteng Province and the Police followed up on information about suspects at particular location. The premise was penetrated by the members of the Special Task force who found a 20-year-old male locked inside a single room with other eight (8) males.
Furthermore, Police found two males who were allegedly feeding and guarding the victims and were immediately placed under arrest at the scene.
During the arrest, seven (7) cellphones were seized and upon further investigations it was discovered that other victims who are believed to be Ethiopian Nationals aged between 20 and 23 were also kidnapped but they could not provide more information about their presence at the locations because they were also in the country illegally.
One of the victims who was also allegedly kidnapped for more than three (3) months was later admitted at a local hospital for medical treatment due to sickness.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the other eight victims were kidnapped for a period of 10 to 15 days and the ransom was never paid to the kidnappers before being rescued by the Police.
The two suspects are expected to appear before the Giyani Magistrate Court on Monday 18 September 2023 facing charges of kidnapping.
Afterwards, the duo will proceed to Gauteng Province soon to appear in Court facing nine (9) charges of human trafficking.
Police investigations are continuing.
Content retrieved from: https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=48395.
