Spate of Nelson Mandela Bay kidnappings ‘could be linked to single mastermind’

A picture seems to be slowly forming as law enforcement and security agencies add more pieces to the puzzle of the recent spate of kidnappings in and around Nelson Mandela Bay.

A network of strategically placed hi-tech cameras played a crucial part in tracking a vehicle and suspects believed to be linked to the kidnapping of a member of a prominent Gqeberha business family.

Sources close to the investigation said cellphone records and vehicle tracking could connect different groups of kidnapping suspects whose cases are before courts in Nelson Mandela Bay.

While the Hawks are reluctant to share details that could compromise investigations, they confirmed that their teams are “on the ground” following up on all possible leads to tighten the noose on kidnapping syndicates.

Recent arrests 

In the latest development, two suspects were arrested after analysts combed through hours of security footage to pinpoint the movements of a suspicious vehicle after the Hawks detained a suspect in connection with the kidnapping of the Gqeberha businessman earlier this month.

Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said the victim’s car was found abandoned outside his housing complex in Perridgevale, prompting the police to investigate a possible kidnapping.

Read more: Kidnappings continue — man held after Gqeberha businessman abducted in Perridgevale last week

Their suspicions were confirmed when a ransom demand was made, at which point the Hawks took control of the investigation.

“The suspects ostensibly forcibly removed the victim from his vehicle and drove away with him in a white VW Polo, leaving his vehicle abandoned at the entrance of the complex,” said Mhlakuvana.

He said their team gathered intelligence, which led to a residence in Despatch. The suspect was found inside the house, as well as an unlicensed 7.65mm Norinco pistol with the serial number filed off.

“Further investigation established that the suspects made numerous cash withdrawals from different ATMs in Kariega using the victim’s bank card, resulting in the victim being extorted of an undisclosed amount of cash.”

The victim was released unharmed in Motherwell on 17 October.

An extensive network of cameras 

A representative of the Navic security company said analysts identified the suspect’s vehicle and tracked his movement through their network of ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) cameras and footage from other overview cameras across the city metro. This information was fed to the Hawks, resulting in the initial arrest.

“Further analysis of the suspect’s movement led investigators to a white Polo, positively linked to the kidnapping.

“Through a coordinated effort involving specialised units, live CCTV and ANPR tracking, the vehicle was located and stopped, leading to the detention of two additional suspects, also in Despatch.” The arrests took place on Thursday, 23 October.

Navic Eastern Cape agent Brett Barlow confirmed that Navic systems formed part of the police and Hawks’ investigation and assisted in the arrests of the three suspects.

“The platform’s extensive footprint enabled law enforcement agencies to achieve a significant breakthrough, highlighting the value of integrated technology and collaborative policing,” said Barlow.

Read more: Hi-tech number plate recognition cameras boost fight against rural Eastern Cape crime

Navic’s camera network comprises nearly 800 ANPR cameras and about 4,000 overview cameras across the Eastern Cape.

Court proceedings 

The first suspect was scheduled to return to the Kariega Magistrates’ Court on Monday for formal bail proceedings, while his alleged accomplices were due to make their first court appearances on Tuesday. Their names have not yet been released.

Meanwhile, seven suspects accused of kidnapping returned to the Gqeberha Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Mthetho Ntleko, Mzameni Matyunza, Malibongwe Dayile, Nyaniso Sabundla, Aviwe Twatwa, Tamsanqa Matlabe and Lulamani Phandla face charges relating to the kidnapping of Gqeberha mother Tracey Fourie.

She was abducted in Sydenham on 20 August, before a ransom demand of R5-million was made. She was released five days later after R200,000 was paid to her captors.

Read more: R5m ransom plot — seventh suspect in Gqeberha kidnapping syndicate nabbed

All seven accused remain in custody after abandoning their formal bail applications.

Tracy Brown murder

On Thursday, another alleged kidnapper will return to the Gqeberha Magistrates’ Court, but on a murder charge.

Ayabulela Busakwe will appear alongside Simthembile Xungu for their alleged involvement in the murder of prosecutor Tracy Brown, who was fatally shot outside her Young Park home in July.

Busakwe was in custody before being linked to Brown’s death, as he had been arrested in connection with the kidnapping of Kariega businesswoman Theresa Minnie in August.

Read more: Kidnapping suspect linked to murder of Gqeberha prosecutor

Minnie was abducted from her home in Fairbridge Heights on 11 August and released a few days later after a ransom was paid.

Busakwe and his co-accused, Andile Mathumbu, are scheduled to return to the Kariega Magistrates’ Court next month in connection with the kidnapping and remain in custody after abandoning bail.

Homing in on the syndicate 

A source close to the kidnapping investigations said several leads were being pursued to determine whether the suspects in the kidnapping cases before the courts are linked to a single syndicate.

“We suspect that they are closely linked and that one mastermind could be behind the coordinated string of kidnappings for ransom across Nelson Mandela Bay, and perhaps even outside of the metro.

“Currently, we are awaiting forensic evidence, including cellphone records and vehicle tracking, to determine possible links between the groups,” said the source.

Mhlakuvana said he could not confirm any links between the various cases or the suspects in custody, as this formed part of the ongoing investigation.

“What I can say is that our teams are on the ground following up on all possible leads to close in on the kidnapping syndicates.” DM