Western Cape Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, has welcomed the arrest of 10 suspects on Saturday evening following the robbery and kidnapping of a 47-year-old man in Bellville.
Reports on Monday indicated that police rescued the man from the clutches of a gang of kidnappers, who took him captive on Thursday.
According to EWN, four gunmen accosted the victim and robbed him of his cellphone and cash before keeping him hostage. The incident took place near the victim’s home on Voortrekker Road.
A report by The South African said that the kidnappers demanded a ransom for his safe return. At least 10 suspects were arrested.
Times Live said that the suspects, between the ages of 20 and 30, were charged with armed robbery and kidnapping.
They were expected to appear in the Bellville magistrate’s court on Monday, the report said.
“Let this arrest serve as a reminder to any engaging in a related illicit activity such as business-related kidnappings and extortion. You will be caught, and you will be prosecuted.
“I commend the various units involved in these arrests on their efforts to apprehend those involved and return the victim home to his family,” Fritz said in a statement.
He called on residents with any information in relation to organised crime in the province to come forward and hint at the police.
Picture: Cape Town Etc gallery
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Police rescue man, 47, after kidnapping, robbery in Bellville