The police in Welkom have made a big breakthrough in their fight against the kidnappings that have been making headlines in the district lately.
Between 20 and 30 foreign national shop owners, mostly Bangladeshi, were kidnapped for ransom in the Goldfields between March and April this year.
“Three men were arrested on 21 and 22 May after they threatened two foreign shop owners with kidnapping in the Welkom industrial area,” says Capt. Stephen Thakeng, SAPS spokesperson.
Two brothers were approached by the suspected kidnappers on Wednesday (18/05). They demanded money from the brothers, threatening to kidnap them if they did not pay.
Thakeng says the extortionists told the two shop owners that another shop owner had already paid R10 000 to prevent him from being kidnapped.
“The brothers told the kidnappers on Wednesday night that they did not have money with them and that they should return the next day,” says Thakeng.
The foreigners informed the police of the incident and Welkom’s various police units launched a joint action.
The dog unit apprehended the suspects, aged between 25 and 40, over the weekend.
Thakeng says police believe this is a breakthrough after the spate of kidnappings in the area. Some of the victims were shot or beaten with a sjambok in order to convince their family members or fellow citizens to pay the ransom.
The three suspects, Raymond Zukuza, Moeketsi Mofokeng and Thomas Mpono, appeared in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court on 23 May.
ThomasMpono, a taxi driver, was granted bail of R1 000 and the two others remain in custody and will again appear on 30 May for bail application. The three are facing extortion and theft.
