Aug 20, 2025
GQEBERHA- A dramatic turn of events unfolded in Gqeberha where two suspects, aged 29 and 31 were arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a 73-year-old woman. The suspects were apprehended on Monday during a joint operation led by the Hawks’ Gqeberha base Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Crime Intelligence, Local Criminal Record Centre(LCRC), Magma security and Investigation.
Spokesperson for Eastern Cape Hawks Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said, “The investigation which was spearheaded by a multidisciplinary team led to the victim’s release on 16 August 2025, near Kariega police station. Fortunately, the woman was found unharmed and was reunited with her family.”
According to Mhlakuvana, the elderly woman was abducted on 11 August 2025 at Crocus Street in Kariega. “The suspects allegedly blocked the victim’s vehicle with a Volkswagen Polo and accosted her at gunpoint before fleeing the scene. A ransom demand was made and the matter was handed over to the Hawks for investigation.”
The breakthrough came after an intelligence-driven operation was conducted which led the team to the suspects’ homestead in Gqeberha. “The joint team swiftly arrested the two suspects who were positively linked to the abduction of the senior citizen,” Mhlakuvana said.
During the operation, the team recovered a huge amount of cash, two vehicles and two firearms suspected to have been used in the kidnapping incident.
The Hawks’ efforts to bring perpetrators to justice will continue to reassure the public of their commitment to safety and security.