Five individuals are set to appear in court on Friday in connection with the kidnapping of an Eastern Cape man earlier this week. The victim, who was abducted on Monday, December 9, 2024, during a site inspection at a construction project in East London, was held captive for two days before being safely rescued, unharmed. The swift response by law enforcement ensured the victim’s safe return, with investigators from the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, quickly identifying and apprehending the suspects. They now face charges of kidnapping and extortion and will appear before the East London Magistrate’s Court.
According to Hawks provincial spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, the kidnapping sparked an immediate investigation. A specialised task force, working under the guidance of the Hawks, conducted an intelligence-driven operation on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, which led to the identification and subsequent arrests of the suspects. “The victim was found unharmed and has since been reunited with their family,” Mhlakuvana confirmed. Furthermore, elements linked to the crime, including evidence gathered during the operation, were also recovered, strengthening the case against the alleged kidnappers.
This case comes just days after a separate conviction in the Western Cape highlighted the ongoing problem of kidnapping and extortion in South Africa. In Khayelitsha, a 50-year-old man, Lungisa Mafuneka, was sentenced by the Khayelitsha Regional Court for crimes including robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, and extortion. Mafuneka, who pleaded guilty, was convicted for his role in the abduction of two victims in Mandela Park, Khayelitsha, in November 2022. The victims, who were kidnapped while traveling in their vehicle, were subjected to ransom demands amounting to R400,000 from their family.
During the investigation, authorities were able to recover the victims’ vehicle and gather critical evidence. The victims’ family eventually paid R30,000 in ransom on November 28, 2022, which was part of the extortion scheme orchestrated by Mafuneka and his accomplices. Two suspects were arrested during the operation, with cash receipts and a cell phone, allegedly used in the extortion communications, recovered as evidence. These details pointed directly to the role Mafuneka played in the criminal enterprise.
Mafuneka’s sentencing in the Khayelitsha case was significant. He was handed a 13-year prison term for robbery with aggravating circumstances, along with 10 years each for the two counts of kidnapping and five years for extortion. The court ruled that these sentences would run concurrently, meaning Mafuneka will serve an effective 13-year term in prison. His co-accused, Siviwe Yekiso, is still facing charges, and his case was postponed until March 14, 2025, for plea confirmation. Yekiso remains in custody while awaiting further legal proceedings.
Both cases serve as stark reminders of the persistent challenges South Africa faces with kidnapping and extortion crimes. However, they also highlight the determined efforts of law enforcement agencies, such as the Hawks, in tackling these issues head-on. The swift resolution of the Eastern Cape kidnapping and the conviction in Khayelitsha show that specialized investigations and coordinated operations can make a significant impact on combatting such crimes. As the legal process continues, it is clear that authorities remain committed to bringing perpetrators of violent crime to justice and providing relief to victims and their families.
