A search at his house led to the recovery of a firearm and ammunition hidden in a used nappy bag.
Image: File
A 38-year-old man was arrested in connection with a kidnapping and extortion case involving two Indian male victims from Polokwane on August 21, 2025.
The arrest was carried out by police from Mopani District.
The suspect, residing at Mokomotji village, is accused of being part of a gang that kidnapped the victims while they were driving a blue Ford Ranger at Thlabine village in the Maake policing area.
"The family of the victims, aged 41 and 43, were contacted by the suspects who demanded a R70, 000 ransom, which was paid into the victim's account and withdrawn at various banks in Tzaneen. The incident was reported to the police and the victim's vehicle was later recovered at one of the car washes at Lenyenye township in the Maake policing area. The victims were later released unharmed in the vicinity.
"One suspect was initially arrested with the victim's bankcards and further investigations led police to identify and link the 38-year-old male suspect with the incident."
On Tuesday, members of the Mopani Tracking Team, Mopani Highway Patrol and Maake Tracing Team arrested the suspect while at a shebeen in Mokomotji village. A search at his house led to the recovery of a firearm and ammunition hidden in a used nappy bag.
"The suspect failed to provide valid documentation, leading to additional charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He will appear before the Maake Magistrate court soon facing charges of extortion, kidnapping and possession of an unlicensed firearm."