Cape Town law enforcement officer faces serious charges of kidnapping, extortion, and murder

A Law Enforcement officer from Cape Town's Anti-Land Invasion Unit has been arrested on charges of kidnapping, extortion and murder, following a ransom demand and the discovery of a victim's body in a shallow grave.

The Hawks confirmed the arrest was made on Monday in Bellville following an intense investigation and a multi disciplinary intelligence operation.

It's alleged the victim was kidnapped in Kraaifontein in May and was last seen by friend in Bellville, while intending to purchase a vehicle.

The victim was then kidnapped and assaulted and a ransom amount of R100 000 was made, later being reduced to R10 000.

Hawks spokesperson, Siyabulela Vukubi, said the officer's alleged four accomplices were arrested in May and the victim's body was found on Macassar in a shallow grave.

“On May 17, the team followed all the leads that led them to addresses in Philippi and Kleinvlei, which resulted in the arrest of the four accused - Mogamat Samuels (33), Thokozani Kamnjunga (36), Existing Mudivari (33) and Yasseen Jele (30), who have already made a court appearance,” he said. 

“The team was led to an open field on the dunes between Monwabisi Beach and Macassar, where one of the accused pointed out a shallow grave where the victim was killed and buried.

“The multi-disciplinary intelligence led operation consisting of the Hawks, Provincial Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Provincial Organised Crime resulted in the arrest of a 43-year-old suspect on June 9, on charges of kidnapping, extortion and murder.

“His arrest follows after a victim was allegedly kidnapped in Kraaifontein on May 16. 

"The victim was last seen by a friend who reported that the victim (friend) went to Bellville to view a vehicle he intended to purchase and never came back. Instead another friend of the victim received a call from the victim reporting that he had been kidnapped and being assaulted.”

Vukubi added that the Law Enforcement's vehicle could allegedly be linked to the crime.

“The suspects subsequently provided a bank account where the money should be deposited into.

"It was alleged that an amount of R5 000 was deposited to that bank account and the suspects continued to demand the balance.

“Upon further probe, it transpired that the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement vehicle, which was driven by the suspect, was utilised in the commission of this heinous crime.

“The suspect will make first appearance in the Blue Downs Magistrate's Court on June 10, thereafter he will be joining his co- accused who will appear on June 12 in the same court for bail application.”

Inspector Wayne Dayson for the City’s Law Enforcement said they have been working together with the Hawks to secure an arrest.

“The officer who is stationed at the Anti-Land Invasion Unit was arrested amid an investigation by our Safety and Security Information Management Systems unit in collaboration with the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) into an incident in May.

“While the arrest of the officer is disappointing, the Safety and Security Directorate is committed to rooting out corrupt and criminal elements and will not hesitate to investigate and take the required action when wrongdoing is uncovered.

“This matter is also being dealt with in terms of City policies and processes, and a disciplinary process is under way."

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