UK warns of increased kidnapping threat in SA

THE British government has warned of an increasing threat of kidnapping throughout South Africa, linked to the Islamic State (IS) and crime in general.

London’s warning on its travel advisory website followed the abduction of a South African-British couple in KwaZulu-Natal earlier this month.

“Two South African-British dual nationals were kidnapped. There’s an increasing threat of kidnap throughout SA,” read the warning.

“Kidnaps can be for financial gain or motivated by criminality. British nationals can be perceived as being wealthier than locals and may be at particular risk of kidnap for financial gain.”

The couple, aged 64 and 73, and who lived in South Africa, went missing on February 12 after their alleged abduction. Hawks spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha confirmed on Tuesday that officers had caught two suspects believed to be linked to the elderly couple’s disappearance.

Ramovha said police had been hunting the suspects – Sayfydeen Aslam del Vecchio, 38, and Fatima Patel, 27 – on arson charges ever since they allegedly torched a sugar cane field in the province, last year, Independent Media reported. They were arrested last Friday and were subsequently linked to the disappearance of the couple.

On Monday, Del Vecchio and Patel were charged with kidnapping, robbery and arson as they appeared in the Vryheid Magistrate’s Court. – African News Agency (ANA)