A 34-year-old suspect was arrested on Thursday (5 September) for the alleged kidnapping of a family of four and demanding a ransom of R400 000.
Hawks spokesperson WO Zinzi Hani said the kidnapping occurred on 24 August.
The hostages were rescued the following day by a multi-disciplinary Anti-Kidnapping Task Team that included the Hawks, Provincial Organised Crime and a hostage-negotiation team.
Hani said the four family members departed from Kuils River and were on their way to Helderstroom Prison, where the father works as a prison warden.
“Preliminary investigation revealed the vehicle they were driving was later found abandoned in Endlovini, Khayelitsha.
Hani said the four hostages were released around 04:30 on 25 August near Philippi East.
“A police vehicle from Philippi East saw the hostages and gave them a lift to Kuils River Police Station.
”The suspect will make his first court appearance on Monday 9 September at Paarl Magistrate Court.Hani said the suspect is possibly linked to a syndicate and more arrests are imminent.
