Kidnapping spate in E Cape

There has been a spike in kidnappings in the Eastern Cape, with R20 million the highest ransom demand so far, say the police.

Business owners were targeted most often, with the majority of cases reported in the former Transkei areas.

Speaking to Saturday Citizen, Eastern Cape Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson Yolisa Mgolodela said there had been 14 cases in the past few weeks. An additional case was reported on Thursday, but the victim is yet to be found.

It is suspected foreign nationals were being kidnapped because of business competition.

“They are in the country for businesses. If they see one of them having money for stock, that leads them to carry out the crime,” Mgolodela said.

The cases include Pakistanis, Somalians and Ethiopians. However, South Africans were involved in some of the cases, she said.

A task team has been assigned to look into the cases, and arrests have been made as investigations continue.

Hotspot areas include Mthatha, Tsomo, Namakwe and Cala, with a few cases also reported in East London and King William’s Town.

“The highest [ransom] demanded was R20 million. So far, between R16 000 and R800 000 has been paid to kidnappers,” said Mgolodela.

Hawks suspect crime lords are behind the kidnappings. –