The payment is to be made to Charmaine Botha by the end of this month. Qosheka was appearing on charges of kidnapping, extortion, possession of unwrought precious metal, and money laundering.

Botha, the wife of a manager at Harmony Mines in Welkom, was kidnapped for ransom in November 2018 by Qosheka and his accomplices. She was released after more than 12 hours and the kidnappers were arrested three days later, after a tracing operation by the Hawks. The victim’s vehicle and a Nissan Tiida used to transport her were recovered.

The Acting Free State provincial head at the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), brig. Xolani Matroos, lauded the efforts of the team working on the case. “Anyone who infringes on the rights of another by kidnapping and hoping to make a quick buck shall be arrested. We are pleased that the court has shown intolerance towards those involved in organised crime, targeting the vulnerable and holding them hostage. Instead of acceding to your ransom demands, we will arrest you.”

A trial date for the remaining three accused will be set on 31 July.

Press release