Zimbabweans in Court for Cape Town Kidnapping and Ransom Demand

Three Zimbabweans are in court for kidnapping a Cape Town man and demanding a R5 million ransom. They face multiple charges, including assault and robbery, and will return to court for a bail application on March 14. The victim was rescued in a police operation but sustained serious injuries.

Three Zimbabwean nationals, Luckmore Tawanda Muzhira, Takudzwa Trust Nzounhenda, and Itai Elvis Takawira, entered the Stellenbosch Regional Court facing serious charges including assault, extortion, robbery, and kidnapping. The court proceedings have been postponed to March 14 for a formal bail application. The accused, aged 28, 35, and 39, were arrested during a coordinated operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies.

The police began their investigation following reports that a Cape Town man who had visited a store in Stellenbosch last Thursday did not return home. Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi confirmed that the victim’s family received ransom demands totaling R5 million, accompanied by a distressing video showing the victim bound and blindfolded. They were further threatened with violence if demands were not met.

According to Vukubi, a WhatsApp message was sent to the victim’s family, claiming knowledge of the victim’s location and demanding R100,000 for that information while stating the kidnappers’ larger demand. The urgency of the situation escalated with additional threatening messages that the victim would be harmed.

Thanks to the swift actions of the multi-disciplinary operation team, the kidnapped victim was located and rescued. He was discovered in a black VW vehicle and taken to a hospital for treatment of serious head injuries but was reported to be stable after the incident. Law enforcement teams identified vehicles associated with the kidnapping during their investigation, leading to the victim’s recovery.

The case involving the kidnapping of a Cape Town man by three Zimbabwean nationals has unfolded with serious implications including ransom demands and violent threats. The prompt action by law enforcement resulted in the safe recovery of the victim, although he sustained injuries during his captivity. The legal proceedings will continue, focusing on the formal bail application for the accused.

Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com