Three suspects, aged 30, 32 and 37, are expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court, once charged, for murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and extortion charges following their arrest on Thursday.
Police said two Chinese brothers had been kidnapped in the Mowbray area just before 11pm on Thursday December 22.
“These suspects later contacted relatives and demanded cash in return for their safe return and unification with their families. They were instructed not to talk to authorities as that would have put their loved ones directly in harm’s way,” said police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie.
“However police immediately activated a multi-disciplinary team to probe the disappearance of the brothers… arrested the trio and took them in for interrogation.”
The joint operation involved members of the Provincial Kidnapping Task Team, Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Provincial Organised Crime Investigation, Crime Intelligence and the Hostage Negotiation Team.
The body of the 48-year-old brother was discovered in Khayelitsha on Monday December 26 and two days later, on Wednesday December 28, his 52-year-old brother was found in a serious condition at about 10pm on Swartklip Road in Khayelitsha. He was transported to the Khayelitsha District Hospital for medical examination at the Thuthuzela Care Centre.
SAPS Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile applauded the efforts of the officers involved for their investigation and arrest.
“Kidnapping and extortion are on top of the priority list in the Western Cape and we will make sure that the perpetrators of these crimes get their day in court,” he said.
