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The Serious Organised Crime Investigation team of the Hawks based in Gqeberha in collaboration with Gqeberha Crime Intelligence (CI), Provincial Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) members, the Hostage Negotiating Team (HNT) and Flying Squad rescued the kidnapping victim Lu Xian (43) and apprehended three suspects on last night, April 16.
According to Hawks spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, it is alleged that on Wednesday, April 10 at approximately 17:40, Lu Xian was kidnapped while leaving his workplace at Uitenhage shopping mall. He was allegedly forced into a white Isuzu double cab bakkie and his VW Crafter minibus reportedly driven off by one of the suspects.
She added that all stakeholders involved in the arrest embarked on a joint operation with the objective of a safe return of the victim.
"On Tuesday, April 16, at about 19:15, information was received about the suspects being in an RDP house in Missionvale where the victim was found tied with chains and his face covered.
"Three suspects aged between 31 and 41 were arrested on the spot," she added.
Mgolodela further added,"the victim was rescued without the payment of the ransom. A 9mm pistol, a shot gun, a Renault Triber and an Isuzu double cab bakkie were seized during the operation."
The trio will appear before Uitenhage Magistrate’s court on Friday, April 19.
With the scourge of kidnapping rampaging the area, the Provincial Head Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya expressed his elation on the success of the joint team as the arrest might lead to the unlocking of more kidnapping cases under investigation.
