Latest news with #NdiphiweMhlakuvana
The Citizen
11 hours ago
- The Citizen
Two arrested in Eastern Cape for kidnapping 70-year-old woman
The woman was coming out from the gate of her homestead when she was kidnapped. Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a 73-year-old woman in the Eastern Cape. The duo were handcuffed on Monday during an operation led by the Gqeberha base Serious Organised Crime Investigation of the Hawks, Crime Intelligence, Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), Magma security and Investigation. Rescue Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said the elderly woman was reportedly abducted on 11 August 2025 at Crocus Street in Kariega. 'Investigation ensued, due to the pressure exerted by a multi-disciplinary team resulted in the victim being released on 16 August 2025, where she was found near Kariega police station unharmed and reunited with her family.' ALSO READ: Dunoon businessman found dead after kidnapping Arrest Mhlakuvana said an intelligence-driven operation was conducted, which led the team to the suspect's homestead in various precincts at Gqeberha, which were believed to have been responsible for the kidnapping. 'The joint team swiftly managed to arrest two suspects aged between 29 and 31, who were positively linked with the abduction of the senior citizen. 'Furthermore, the team reportedly recovered an undisclosed huge amount of cash, two vehicles and two firearms that were suspected to have been used in the kidnapping incident and were seized for further investigation,' Mhlakuvana said. Kidnapping According to Mhlakuvana, it is alleged that the woman was coming out of the gate of her homestead, driving a motor vehicle, when she was apparently blocked by a Volkswagen Polo and the two armed suspects. 'They alighted from the vehicle, accosted the victim into their vehicle and fled from the scene. On the same day, it is further alleged that a ransom demand was made by the suspect and the matter was handed over to the Hawks for probing.' Mhlakuvana said the suspects are expected to appear before the Kariega Magistrate's on 19 and 20 August 2025, respectively. The Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, lauded the investigating team for ensuring that the 'suspects are brought before the arm of the law.' NOW READ: Police slam misleading reports about respected businessman Jerry Boshoga
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Hawks arrest two suspects following 73-year-old woman's kidnapping
The Hawks in the Eastern Cape have arrested two suspects in connection with the kidnapping of a 73-year-old woman from Kariega, The Hawks in the Eastern Cape have arrested two suspects in connection with the kidnapping of a 73-year-old woman from Kariega. According to Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, the Hawks' provincial spokesperson, the woman was abducted on August 11, 2025, by two men who blocked her path in Crocus Street, Kariega. "It is alleged that the victim was coming out from the gate of her homestead driving a motor vehicle, where she was apparently blocked by a Volkswagen Polo and two unidentified armed suspects alighted from the vehicle, accosted the victim into their vehicle and fled from the scene," said Mhlakuvana. After her kidnapping, a ransom demand was made, prompting an urgent investigation led by the Hawks. Mhlakuvana noted that extensive investigative efforts by a multi-disciplinary team culminated in her safe return almost five days later. "She was found near Kariega police station unharmed and reunited with her family," he said.
Daily Maverick
11-06-2025
- Daily Maverick
New Brighton shop owner kidnapped, Hawks investigation under way
The Hawks are investigating a kidnapping that took place in New Brighton on Tuesday evening, with 'law-enforcement agencies on the ground'. A 38-year-old man was kidnapped outside his business in New Brighton, Gqeberha, on Tuesday evening – the latest in a disturbing trend of abductions across the Nelson Mandela Bay metro. According to Hawks spokesperson Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana the incident took place on Tuesday evening just as the victim was preparing to close his shop. He was ambushed by a group of unidentified suspects who forced him into his Suzuki sedan and drove off. Minutes later, the kidnappers issued a ransom demand, Mhlakuvana said. 'There have been no further updates at this stage. Law enforcement agencies are on the ground and the investigation is ongoing.' Troubling pattern Over the past 12 months at least nine kidnappings – primarily motivated by ransom – have taken place in Nelson Mandela Bay: A 45-year-old teacher was kidnapped in March 2025 outside Happydale Special School in Algoa Park. Armed men dragged her from her Toyota Fortuner shortly after she arrived. She was reunited with her family three days later. It is unclear if a ransom was paid; Josh Sullivan, an American missionary, was abducted in April 2025 during a church service in Motherwell. He was rescued in KwaMagxaki five days later during a police operation in which three suspects were killed; Ebrahim Moosa, a businessman from Kruisrivier near Kariega, was kidnapped in February from his business premises. He was rescued by police a week later. Two people were arrested; Two foreign nationals were kidnapped in mid-February 2025 in an undisclosed part of Nelson Mandela Bay. Police have confirmed the case but provided few details. Investigations are ongoing; A Dutch tourist couple were hijacked and kidnapped in December 2024 near the R335, between Jeffreys Bay and Addo. They were robbed and later released unharmed; A Somali was abducted in Gelvandale in November 2024, held for ransom and released three days later with minor injuries. His kidnappers remain at large; Qays Mohaned Hersi Mohamoud, a Somali student, was kidnapped in Gelvandale in November 2024. He was later released unharmed; Kelvin Naidoo, the deputy president of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, was abducted in July 2024 and released six days later. The case sparked widespread public concern and condemnation from business leaders; and A 56-year-old man was lured to his gate in Nemato, Port Alfred, in May 2024, where he was abducted by a woman and a group of accomplices. He was rescued by police in Gqeberha. One suspect was arrested. In 2024, after Naidoo was abducted, the Nelson Mandela Bay Civil Society Coalition wrote to President Cyril Ramaphosa to ask for urgent intervention in the metro to deal with 'alarming and escalating levels of crime'. 'This metro used to be one of the safer metros in the country, but due to the systematic breakdown of law and order enforcement, this has become an exceptionally dangerous place for its citizens and communities. The alarming crime statistics, which include high levels of brutal shootings, robberies, hijackings, kidnappings, cybercrimes and vandalism of public and private infrastructure, cannot proceed unabated. 'These crimes have severe consequences upon the safety and security of people, especially vulnerable communities, and have serious economic ramifications in terms of the retention of much-needed investment and employment in our metro, which is in a province which now has more people unemployed than employed,' the coalition's Mongameli Peter wrote. DM
IOL News
08-05-2025
- IOL News
23-year-old woman linked to kidnapping investigation in Eastern Cape
A young woman has been linked to a kidnapping in the Eastern Cape. A 23-year-old woman from the Eastern Cape appeared in the Qonce Magistrate's Court on charges of kidnapping. Authorities believe the arrested suspect orchestrated the kidnapping. The provincial spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as Hawks), Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, said the kidnapping took place on April 5, when the 32-year-old victim was abducted by unknown armed suspects in Schonville location in Qonce. 'During the incident, apparently, the victim was accosted, stabbed, and forcefully taken into the boot of the suspect's vehicle. Thereafter, it was divulged that the victim's Volkswagen Golf 7 GTi was also hijacked, which was later recovered abandoned and burnt to ashes at the Bisho off-ramp near the N2 road,' Mhlakuvana said.
The Citizen
07-05-2025
- The Citizen
Woman linked to kidnapping of East London man to appear in court
The 32-year-old man who runs a business in Chislehurst went missing during a car show on April 5. A 23-year-old Schornville woman linked to the kidnapping of an East London businessman who escaped captivity in April is expected to make her appearance in the Qonce Magistrate's court on Wednesday. The 32-year-old man who runs a business in Chislehurst went missing during a car show on April 5. Breakthrough Police spokesperson warrant-officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said officers made a breakthrough and arrested the woman this week. 'The suspect is expected to appear before the Qonce Magistrate's court on 7 May 2025. The Hawks anticipate more arrests as the investigation is still ongoing.' Mhlakuvana said the man suffered a grim ordeal. 'During the aforesaid incident, apparently, the victim was accosted, stabbed, and forcefully taken into the boot of the suspect's vehicle. Thereafter, it was divulged that the victim's Volkswagen Golf 7 GTi was also hijacked, which was later recovered abandoned and burnt to ashes at Bisho off-ramp near N2 road.' ALSO READ: Four arrested in connection with missing journalist Aserie Ndlovu and partner Rescue Mhlakuvana said the victim was held hostage a few days with the kidnappers demanding his mobile phone, bank card, and PIN numbers. He said the matter was then handed over to the Hawks for investigation. 'An investigation ensued, which established that the perpetrators ostensibly withdrew the victim's cash. An intelligence-driven investigation led to a particular homestead where the victim was kept in Schornville location. 'Through cohesive work between the Interim Kidnapping Task Team of the Hawks and the community, a 23-year-old suspect who was positively linked with said kidnapping incident was arrested. Furthermore, the suspect presumably has orchestrated and played a major role in the abovementioned incident,' Mhlakuvana said. Questions The man was reunited with his family, who welcomed his rescue, sharing photos and videos on social media. However, they have raised questions about his kidnapping ordeal as police investigations continue into the incident, which gripped the small East London community. ALSO READ: American missionary kidnapped in Gqeberha rescued, three suspects dead
