Following the kidnapping incident in France village, Lusikisiki local police arrested eight suspects, recovered two stolen vehicles and an undocumented firearm, and rescued six kidnapped family members.
According to SAPS, ten armed individuals stormed into a homestead in France Village, Lusikisiki, held family members at gunpoint, and seized their cellphones.
All six family members were then transported to Magcakini village in Libode, over 96 km from France village, where they were held captive.
After the family members were reported missing on Monday, July 1, SAPS teamed up with a private vehicle tracking company to successfully track them down to Libode.
Upon arrival, police rescued five victims, arrested four suspects, and seized one unlicensed firearm.
The SAPS statement further reads: “Further police investigation led to the additional arrest of four suspects and the recovery of a stolen Toyota bakkie and a Renault Clio in Mthatha.
“The sixth victim was later found unscathed at the police station in Madeira. Information in police records indicates that he was released after cash was withdrawn from the ATM.”
Two suspects are still at large. However, the Eastern Cape’s acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Zithulele Dladla, asserted that investigators are putting forth great effort to capture them.
“ Police are pleased with a successful rescue operation and the subsequent arrests. The investigators are working around the clock and are closing in on the other suspects, who managed to flee,” he said.
All eight suspects, aged 25 and 45, appeared before the Lusikisiki magistrate court on kidnapping allegations, and their case was postponed to the next day.
