DURBAN - Details have emerged regarding the kidnapping and extortion case involving a Durban businessman over the weekend.
The businessman, 54, was allegedly kidnapped and a ransom of R1 million demanded for his release, said police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala.
Information from the police provided to the Daily News revealed that the businessman’s wife told police that he left home on Friday at 7.35pm in Westville, west of Durban, for a business meeting. He did not return home by 9.30 pm.
She told police that when she called his cellphone, he answered but someone else took his phone and demanded R1 million for his release.
Police set up a joint operations committee (JOC) at Westville SAPS on Saturday.
“The wife told the kidnappers she could not raise an exorbitant amount. The kidnappers reduced it to R750 000,” police said.
On Saturday, the kidnappers called at 8am, from the businessman’s phone, advising her to borrow R200 000 from three people.
During a briefing at the JOC, information was received that the businessman escaped from his captors and was at Taylors Halt police station.
“The house where he was held, was pointed out by sources. Police received information from sources on the identity of one of the kidnappers, whom the community members were holding and allegedly assaulting. The suspect was rescued and taken to the clinic for medical treatment,” police said.
The businessman told police he was contacted telephonically by a former employee, a Malawian national, concerning stolen copper pipes. When he arrived at the former employee’s home a gun was pointed at him. Three men believed to be Malawian nationals got into the car.
The businessman said he was assaulted and threatened and R12 000 cash was taken from him. The businessman said he was driven to a petrol station where they demanded his PIN and withdrew R5 000.
The kidnappers also bought a bottle of water as per the businessman’s request. At gunpoint they led him to a house in Taylor’s Halt in Pietermaritzburg.
The businessman was made to sit on a crate inside the house while two kidnappers watched over him.
The following day, they took his bank card to purchase something from the store. The businessman informed them that he needed insulin and other medication, which they undertook to buy.
When the businessman was alone with the one of the kidnappers, he befriended him and offered to pay him if he could help him escape.
Police said the kidnapper asked for R70 000 and then took the businessman on foot along the main road until he could get help.
Gwala said two of the kidnappers, aged 27 and 32, were arrested. Two firearms and ammunition were allegedly found in their possession.
“During the police investigation, it was established that the victim was kidnapped from his business premises in Reservoir Hills and cash was taken by the suspects from the premises. While he was held captive, the suspects withdrew more cash from his credit card.” Gwala said.
The kidnappers are due to appear in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, kidnapping and extortion.
Daily News