Law enforcement officer arrested weeks after kidnapped man discovered in shallow grave

A 43-year-old law enforcement officer was arrested three weeks after a man kidnapped in Kraaifontein was found buried in a shallow grave in an open field on the dunes between Monwabisi beach and Macassar.

He was arrested in Belleville on Monday June 9 on charges of kidnapping, extortion and murder. 

This came after a victim was allegedly kidnapped in Kraaifontein on Friday May 16.  

The victim was last seen by a friend who reported that the victim went to Bellville to view a vehicle he intended to buy and never came back. 

Instead, another friend of the victim received a call from the victim himself reporting that he had been kidnapped and had been assaulted.

Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi said, at that time, the suspects demanded a ransom of R100 000 for the victim to be released. The ransom was later reduced to R10 000 but only R5 000 was paid to the kidnappers.

The team of Hawks and police then followed all the leads that led them to addresses in Philippi and Kleinvlei which resulted in the arrest, on Saturday May 17,  of the four accused, Mogamat Samuels, 33, Thokozani Kamnjunga, 36, Existing Mudivari, 33, and Yasseen Jele, 30 who have already made a court appearance.

Lieutenant Colonel Vukubi said further investigation revealed that the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement vehicle, which was driven by the suspect, was used in the commission of the crime.

The suspect will make his first appearance at the Bluedowns Magistrates Court on Tuesday June 10.

The City’s law enforcement spokesperson, Wayne Dyason, confirmed the arrest of their member and said the matter was also being investigated internally. 

“When approached for assistance, our teams worked diligently to aid the Hawks’ investigation. We will continue to cooperate with SAPS to ensure a swift conclusion to the investigation and prosecution,” he said.

“The City can also confirm the suspension of two law enforcement officers attached to the Metal Theft Unit who were arrested on charges of kidnapping last month,” Mr Dyason said.