Publications
Partners
- An investigating officer has asked the court not to grant bail to two Ethiopian men linked to the kidnapping of their fellow countryman.
- Sergeant Fikile Mathonsi fears the men could skip the country.
- The police are also investigating other kidnapping cases that could be added against the pair and their four co-accused.
A police officer has pleaded with the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court not to grant bail to two Ethiopian nationals and a local man charged with kidnapping an Ethiopian businessman.
Sergeant Fikile Mathonsi feared for the safety of Addis Tilahus, Biyanm Daniwe and Dudu Selby Tsotetsi should the court grant them bail.
Mathonsi testified she had received two memorandums from a group calling itself the Ethiopian Community who was opposed to granting them bail.
She said Tilahus and his wife no longer stayed at the address he claimed they occupied in Bedfordview.
"The building manager said the couple was no longer living there. Verifying that address was for someone there to confirm that Tilahus stays there.
"I don't know where Tilahus stays. I don't know where his wife is. I have never seen her. She was hospitalised and later discharged.
"For now, we are only dealing with one kidnapping matter. We can also book Daniwe out [from prison] to point out all his businesses."
READ | Pupil arrested for allegedly faking own kidnapping, demanding ransom from parents
Mathonsi added the kidnapped victim was Tilahus' business rival.
"The victim owned a nightclub not far from Tilahus' nightclub is situated. The three applicants won't be safe outside after verifying their addresses. My attitude remains the same. They mustn't be granted bail.
"Tilahus has a fake visa. There are no records of that visa at Home Affairs. He will run away if granted bail. He lied that he didn't have a passport.
"Daniwe is wanted for murder in Ethiopia. I enquired from the Ethiopian embassy about that murder case. They haven't returned to me as promised," said Mathonsi.
She claimed Tilahus had two passports.
Mathonsi added a kidnapping case was opened at Johannesburg Central police station where the victim claimed he was released after his abductors claimed their bosses had been arrested.
"The abductors said they won't have money to feed him in captivity. The victim was released immediately after the police had arrested the three men.
"We might link the three men to other kidnapping cases that have been opened," she claimed.
ALSO READ | Alleged kidnapping syndicate in Joburg known for 'torture and demanding ransoms', court hears
Tilahus, Daniwe and Tsotetsi brought bail applications after being arrested with Willie Nkosi, Gift Nhlanhla Kotsholo and Thokozani Madala two weeks after they allegedly kidnapped Dawit Gebre Maeske Malles.
Malles was ambushed on 7 January at about 22:00 at an off-ramp near Kwa Mai Mai in Johannesburg and rescued on 19 January.
He was driving home from his business premises when he was attacked. His vehicle was blocked by an unknown car.
A team of police officers accompanied by the elite Special Task Force arrested Tilahus, who led them to Daniwe and Tsotetsi.
The officers then went to an RDP house in Daveyton, where they found Nkosi, Kotsholo and Madala guarding Malles.
The three men were also arrested.
Tilahus, Daniwe and Tsotetsi's bail hearing continues on 21 April.
