Judgment expected for four men accused of kidnapping Durban schoolboy - IOL

The Ntuzuma Regional Court is expected to deliver judgement on a kidnapping and extortion case on Monday. Four men allegedly kidnapped an 11-year-old boy and demanded his mother pay over R1 million. The mother paid R90,000. Police arrested the men.

Judgment is expected in the case of four men accused of kidnapping and extortion in Durban in the Ntuzuma Regional Court on Monday.

It is alleged that on May 18, 2022, in Inanda, the men kidnapped an 11-year-old boy while he was being driven to school. They also allegedly kidnapped the child’s driver and forced him into the boot of a car at gunpoint.

It is alleged that on that day, the accused contacted the child’s mother, demanding a ransom of R1 million, failing which the child would be killed.

It was reported that after the child was kidnapped, the child’s mother contacted the police and, under police surveillance, handed over R90,000 to the accused. Police intercepted the vehicle the accused had been travelling in and were then led to the house where the child was being kept in Inanda.

The ransom money was also recovered. Police later arrested the child’s neighbour in connection with the incident. He was linked by cellphone evidence to the case. He appeared in court alongside the three other accused and was released on bail. He could not be named because it would identify the child’s location and family identity in the matter.

Lindokuhle Mthokozisi Thabede, 29, Mvelo Khuzwayo, 29, and Fisokuhle Mathews Mbatha, 32, were denied bail and remain in custody. On Friday, Magistrate Sibongiseni Cele concluded part of the judgment and evidence before the court. He is expected to apply the law to the evidence on Monday. 

Prosecutor Kaystree Ramsujh said judgment in the matter should be completed by Monday and a date for sentencing will be set.