South African Police Rescue Kidnapped Malawian, Arrest Four

In a statement released on Sunday, Western Cape police spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk said the kidnapped Malawian has been rescued while four of the kidnappers have also been apprehended.

He stated that following the kidnapping report, crime intelligence and the Knysna station commander, along with local detectives, investigated the situation and discovered who the suspects were and where they were detaining the victim through the networking of sources and contacts.

"The suspects had also demanded money for the release of the victim.

"All intelligence was coordinated and an operational team, comprising of Knysna Crime Prevention Unit and Flying Squad members, was deployed to a house in Robololo Street, Knysna. 

"The Malawian victim was found and brought to safety. During the search, 70gm of tik and 156 mandrax tablets to the value of R33 860 were seized," said Van Wyk.

He stated that after interviewing the victim and one of the suspects at the police station, a follow-up operation was carried out at the residence of one suspect, a foreign national of Nigerian heritage, where 7,500 mandrax tablets and 1.5kg tik worth R502 500 were seized.

"The drug consignment was seized and handed in as exhibits. 

"Cash to the value of R20 000, believed to be the proceeds of crime, was also found and confiscated.

"The four suspects, being an adult foreign national male, two South African males and one South African female were arrested on charges of kidnapping, extortion and dealing in drugs. 

"They will appear in court once charged," he said.