An alleged kidnapper, who was implicated in the abduction of a South Coast resident and was arrested in Verulam by officers from Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) and Verulam SAPS in June this year, was denied bail when he appeared in the Umbumbulu Magistrate’s Court recently.
The accused, identified as Sihle Magubane (38), is detained at Westville Correctional Services and is awaiting trial.
Magubane and several other suspects accosted a man near Folweni, on Tuesday 14 June 2022.
RUSA head, Prem Balram, said: “The suspects blindfolded and tied up the victim and held him against his will at an unknown location. The victim was led to believe that they had also kidnapped his daughter. The suspects threatened to kill the victim’s daughter if he did not provide his ATM card pin. The gang withdrew R10, 000 in cash and decided to withdraw the balance from inside the bank the next day after reaching the maximum daily withdrawal limit. On Wednesday, 15 June 2022, the gang transported the victim to Moss Street in the Verulam CBD and instructed him to enter Capitec Bank and withdraw the remaining funds. When his blindfold was removed, the man noticed the driver and the registration of a silver Ford Ranger. He entered the bank and informed the teller that he believed his daughter was being held hostage. Verulam SAPS was contacted by a bank employee and the police informed RUSA officers of the possible hostage situation.”
Balram added that at about 11:54am on the same day, reaction officers and police officers kept observation and then converged on the scene and arrested Sihle Magubane. “The vehicle used in the kidnapping, a silver NPN registration Ford Ranger was seized. Traditional muti was found on the suspect’s arm. Officers searched for the victim’s 16 year old daughter and found her unharmed at her school. Magubane appeared in the Umbumbulu Magistrate’s Court and he will be back in court on 24 August 2022. More arrests are imminent and it is hoped that the wheels of justice turn swiftly while yielding positive results,” said Balram.
