THREE men alleged to have kidnapped Eastern Cape girl, Emaan Fatima Ghumman, appeared in the East London Magistrate’s Court today.
This comes hours after the nine-year-old of Buffalo Flats in East London, was released.
The three men, aged between 20 and 67, who are charged with kidnapping made a brief appearance in court. The matter adjourned for a formal bail application next week.
Emaan was allegedly kidnapped while walking home from school on February 4.
Lieutenant-Colonel Avele Fumba, spokesperson for the Hawks in Eastern Cape, said the three suspects were arrested following a joint-operation by a multi-disciplinary team on February 5.
The team, he said, consisted of members from the Kidnapping Task Team of Serious Organised Crime Investigation of the Hawks, East London Public Order Police, East London Flying Squad and Provincial Hostage Negotiators.
“A meticulous investigation by the joint team led to the arrest of the suspects on February 5. The trio appeared before the court on February 6, and the matter was adjourned for bail contents.
“All three suspects were linked to the kidnapping. Due to the pressure exerted by the joint team, the victim was released unharmed near a police station, during the early hours of Wednesday morning,” he said.
Fumba said more arrests were imminent as investigations continue.
Major-General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, provincial head of the Hawks in Eastern Cape, applauded the joint team for their sterling job in apprehending the suspects and bringing the victim home unharmed.