Latest news with #Vukubi
IOL News
19-05-2025
- IOL News
Search for new car ends in tragedy
Four suspects aged between 29 and 42 were arrested on charges of kidnapping, extortion and murder. Image: File THE Hawks have made a breakthrough in their investigation into the kidnapping of a local man who was last seen on his way to view a car he was interested in buying in Bellville before his body was discovered in a shallow grave. Four suspects aged between 29 and 42 were arrested on charges of kidnapping, extortion and murder on Saturday during a multi-disciplinary intelligence-led operation consisting of the Hawks, Provincial Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Hostage Negotiation. The man was allegedly kidnapped in Kraaifontein on May 16. He was last seen by a friend who reported he went to Bellville to view a vehicle he intended to purchase and never came back, said Hawks spokesperson Siyabulela Vukubi. 'Instead another friend of the victim received a call from the victim reporting that he had been kidnapped and being assaulted. Simultaneously, a ransom of R100 000 for the victim's release was demanded by the suspects. Further phone calls were made by the suspects whereby the ransom was reduced to R10 000.' Vukubi said the suspects subsequently provided a bank account where the money should be deposited into. An amount of R5000 was allegedly deposited to that bank account, but the suspects continued to demand the balance. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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'Further probe led the team to an open field on the dunes between Monwabisi beach and Macassar, where one of the suspects pointed out a shallow grave where the victim was killed and buried,' said Vukubi. While the suspects are expected to appear in the Kuilsriver Magistrate's Court on Monday, Hawks' provincial Head Mathipa Makgato hailed the team for their precise and resilient investigation into this, saying that SAPS will leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators to book. Meanwhile police spokesperson Novela Potelwa said police were making a dent in crime, in particular in areas such as Khayelitsha. 'In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of these crime-reduction operations, the vast Khayelitsha Township with its four police stations namely, Makhaza, Lingelethu West, Harare and Khayelitsha Site B, has made inroads in crime reduction. Although we are not out of the woods yet, the current downward trajectory in the township is acknowledged. For that we thank all the integrated forces who contributed to the current picture.' She said constant engagement with communities, efficient and effective neighbourhood watch system, early morning patrols targeting commuter routes to train stations, bus stops and taxi pick-up points and 'super' Friday patrols with neighbourhood watch members were among the interventions behind Khayelitsha's encouraging crime picture. She said there were targeted arrests of Boko Haram splinter groups members who were constantly fighting over territory resulting in multiple murders. 'Feuds between rival groups on the gang front in Mitchell's Plain, Bishop Lavis, Delft, Mfuleni and other identified precincts on the Cape Flats, are still a concern for the management of the SAPS in the Western Cape. "At the heart of the murders, attempted murders and other aggravated crimes, are illegal firearms which we are targeting through various operational interventions. With the Cooperation Agreement between SAPS and the City of Cape Town gaining momentum, on the ground the integrated forces work hand in glove resulting in an improved crime picture… 'On the intelligence front, there is still room for improvement. The majority of successful operations executed thus far were intelligence-led. A call is still being made for communities to play an active role in legitimate crime fighting efforts within their respective precincts. The SAPS management in the Province believes that someone somewhere somehow knows something.' Anyone with information about crime can anonymously contact Crime Stop on 0860010111. Cape Times
The Citizen
18-05-2025
- The Citizen
Four suspects arrested in connection with fatal kidnapping case in Western Cape
The kidnapped victim's remains were found in a shallow grave on a beach. Western Cape police on Saturday arrested four people connected to a kidnapping that ended in murder. Their arrest followed a joint intelligence-led operation comprising of the Hawks, provincial anti-kidnapping unit, and hostage negotiation specialists of South African Police Service (Saps). All four suspects, aged between 29 and 42, are scheduled to appear at the Kuilsriver Magistrate's Court on Monday. They will be facing charges of kidnapping, extortion, and murder. 'Our team worked tirelessly to track down the perpetrators of this heinous crime,' said Western Cape police spokesperson Siyabulela Vukubi in a statement. Kidnapping victim disappeared after vehicle viewing According to police, the victim was last seen on Thursday when he informed a friend he was traveling to Bellville to view a vehicle he intended to purchase. When he failed to return, concern grew among his associates. 'The victim's friend received a distressing call from him stating that he had been kidnapped and was being assaulted,' Vukubi explained. 'Shortly thereafter, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of R100 000 for his release.' The suspects later reduced their demand to R10 000 and provided banking details for the transfer of funds. Investigators reportedly confirmed that R5 000 was deposited into the specified account, but the perpetrators continued demanding the outstanding balance. ALSO READ: Police rescue two businessmen in Midrand after kidnapping ordeal Kidnapping investigation leads to grim discovery Following numerous leads, the multi-disciplinary team conducted raids at addresses in Philippi and Kleinvlei on Saturday, resulting in the arrests. 'Further investigation led our officers to a devastating discovery,' said Vukubi. 'One of the suspects directed the team to an open field on the dunes between Monwabisi Beach and Macassar, where they found a shallow grave containing the victim's remains.' ALSO READ: Woman linked to kidnapping of East London businessman to appear in court Hawks Western Cape head commends investigation The Hawks' provincial head, Mathipa Makgato, praised the investigative team for their effective work in bringing the suspects to justice. 'Saps will leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators to book,' Makgato stated. 'The precision and resilience demonstrated by our officers brought about this significant breakthrough,' said Vukubi. NOW READ: Aserie Ndlovu, Zodwa Mdhluli case: Three more suspects arrested amid wait for DNA results
TimesLIVE
18-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Hawks nab four for kidnapping and murder of Cape Town car buyer
The Hawks have arrested four suspects in connection with the kidnapping and murder of a Cape Town resident who disappeared while shopping for a car. Hawks spokesperson Lt-Col Siyabulela Vukubi said members of the directorate and the Western Cape anti-kidnapping unit and hostage negotiation team swooped on the suspects — aged between 29 and 42 — on Saturday during an 'intelligence-led operation'. The suspects face kidnapping, extortion and murder charges. 'Their arrests come after a victim was allegedly kidnapped in Kraaifontein on May 16,' said Vukubi. 'The victim was last seen by a friend who reported that the victim went to Bellville to view a vehicle he intended to purchase and never came back. Instead, another friend of the victim received a call from the victim reporting that he had been kidnapped and assaulted. 'Simultaneously, a ransom of R100,000 for the victim's release was demanded by the suspects. Further phone calls were made by the suspects and the ransom was reduced to R10,000.' Vukubi said the suspects then provided details of a bank account to deposit the ransom. 'It was alleged that an amount of R5000 was deposited in that bank account and the suspects continued to demand the balance.' Vukubi said the multidisciplinary team followed leads on Saturday which led them to Philippi and Kleinvlei and the arrests of the suspects. 'A further probe led the team to an open field on the dunes between Monwabisi beach and Macassar, where one of the suspects pointed out a shallow grave where the victim was killed and buried.' The suspects are set to appear in the Kuilsriver magistrate's court on Monday.
IOL News
16-05-2025
- IOL News
Somerset West CIT heist: Alleged robber in court
The provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi, said the arrest follows a cash-in-transit robbery that took place in January 2025. He was arrested by members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation's (known as Hawks ) National Priority Violent Crime (NPVC) team based in Bellville. A man alleged to be a cash-in-transit robber has appeared in the Somerset West Magistrate's Court. On the day of the incident, a cash vehicle of the G4S collected cash at the Foodlovers Market in Somerset West. 'When the crewman went inside the store to collect the cash, he was accosted by armed suspects. One of the suspects opened fire on the running crew member and wounded him. The suspects fled the scene with two bags of cash estimated at R331,000,' Vukubi said. The investigating team conducted a thorough investigation, and a suspect was identified and a positive linkage was made. After his brief appearance, the matter against Samela has been postponed until July 3, 2025. The court has ordered that he remain in custody until then. IOL Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
