Five Arrested in Eastern Cape Kidnapping, Set for Court Appearance After Victim’s Safe Rescue

Five individuals are set to appear in the East London Magistrate’s Court on Friday, December 13, 2024, in connection with the kidnapping of a man in the Eastern Cape earlier this week. The victim was abducted on Monday, December 9, 2024, during a site inspection at a construction project in East London.

The victim was rescued two days later, on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, without harm. The Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (the Hawks) has confirmed the swift response by a specialized task team, which led to the identification and arrest of the suspects involved. “The victim was found unharmed and has since been reunited with their family,” said Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, the provincial spokesperson for the Hawks. The Hawks also reported that elements related to the crime were recovered during the operation.

The suspects are facing charges of kidnapping and extortion.

In a separate case, a 50-year-old man from the Western Cape, Lungisa Mafuneka, has been sentenced for his involvement in a kidnapping and extortion case. Mafuneka was convicted of robbery with aggravating circumstances, two counts of kidnapping, and extortion following his guilty plea.

The charges stem from an incident in November 2022, where two victims were kidnapped in Mandela Park, Khayelitsha, and their family was extorted for a ransom of R400,000. Although the family paid R30,000, the suspects were arrested after the victims’ vehicle was recovered. Mafuneka has been sentenced to 13 years in prison, with his sentences for the various charges to run concurrently.

Mafuneka’s co-accused, Siviwe Yekiso, will face a plea confirmation hearing on March 14, 2025. He remains in custody.

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