The police have linked the recent kidnapping of hitchhikers in the Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp, and Orkney areas to a syndicate. North West police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, says three men between ages 24 and 57-years-old have been arrested in connection with at least 12 kidnappings in the area in exchange for ransom from families for the safe return of their loved ones. The target of the syndicate was mainly hitchhikers.

According to the police, a post office employee was kidnapped last week Wednesday 9 March and the vehicle that was seen at the scene during the commission of the crime was spotted again two days later, along the R502 linking Potchefstroom and Orkney. Authorities stopped and searched the vehicle, finding several items that belonged to the victim of a separate kidnapping which occurred on Thursday 10 March, in which the relatives of the victim had already received a ransom demand, and also managed to rescue their loved one.

“Police seized two other vehicles believed to have been utilised in the commission of other kidnapping cases as well as sixteen mobile phones said to belong to victims in these cases,” says Mathe. These items were found at a location where the oldest of the suspects was apprehended.

Also read: Suspects linked to kidnappings in North West arrested

The trio is appearing before the Orkney Magistrates Court on Monday. So far they are facing kidnapping, extortion, armed robbery and possession of suspected stolen goods charges. Authorities add that more charges could be added, as more tangible links are made to the other kidnappings.

OFM News