A 36-year-old suspect was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI), in collaboration with Crime Intelligence and Mbizana Visible Policing (VISPOL) in connection with an alleged kidnapping in Bizana.
The arrest follows a crime intelligence-led operation conducted on Friday, 9 October 2026, according to spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana.
“The incident reportedly occurred on Friday, 25 September 2026, when a young man was allegedly kidnapped following a dispute over money. It is further alleged that, after the kidnapping, the victim’s mother received a telephone call demanding ransom money in exchange for her son’s release. Police subsequently intercepted and arrested an individual who had allegedly been sent to collect the ransom,” said Mhlakuvana.
The victim later allegedly managed to escape while the suspects were preoccupied with evading the police.
“The case was subsequently taken over by the Hawks, which pursued further investigative leads and enlisted the assistance of Crime Intelligence to trace the individuals allegedly involved in the incident. On Friday, 9 October 2026, at approximately 10:30, the 36-year-old suspect was located and arrested at Highland View in Bizana during a crime intelligence-led operation. His cell phone was seized for further examination,” said Mhlakuvana.
The suspect was expected to appear before the Mbizana Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 12 October 2026, on a charge of kidnapping.
According to Mhlakuvana, investigations into the case are continuing as police work to trace other suspects allegedly implicated in the incident and establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged kidnapping.