Three Arrested For Kidnapping Lawyer In South Africa

Three suspects appeared in the Bellville Magistrate Court on Monday for the kidnapping of a Cape Town lawyer.

On Friday, the Police were notified of the lawyer's disappearance by his wife who reported him missing after he failed to return home from work.

Bellville initiated an investigation, according to Provincial Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi.

“After consultation with the missing person’s business partner and secretary, they visited the offices and found that the office was in many ways disturbed and certain items were also missing.

“They found a file on the desk that would be of vital importance in their investigation as it gave direct links to pursue.

“The investigating team immediately launched a manhunt in a bid to locate the missing person. 

"They proceeded to the address of a female in Yale Road, in Belhar, who visited the practice the previous day,” Swartbooi said.

He said the woman’s husband could not account for her whereabouts.

“Witnesses that were questioned in the vicinity placed the female on the crime scene when they confirmed that she was driving a white motor vehicle, believed to be the victim’s motor vehicle, with an unknown man and two occupants,” Swartbooi said.

Police followed up on leads from the lawyer's desk and discovered another address in Klawer, outside of Cape Town.

The information was shared with police on the West Coast.

“Klawer police spotted the vehicle at an address in their policing precinct and entered the house where they rescued the missing person. 

"They then arrested and detained a male and two females on a charge of kidnapping,” Swartbooi added.