Zimbabwean Trio in Court Over Cape Town Kidnapping Drama
CAPETOWN – Three Zimbabwean men Luckmore Tawanda Muzhira (28) Takudzwa Trust Nzounhenda (35) and Itai Elvis Takawira (39) were brought before the Stellenbosch Magistrate Court on Monday.
They are facing charges of kidnapping, extortion, assault and robbery in connection with a dramatic abduction that unfolded in Cape Town last week.
The court postponed their bail hearing to March 14.
The incident reportedly began last Thursday when a man was abducted from a shop in Stellenbosch.
Police launched an extensive manhunt, involving the Hawks, specialized crime units, hostage negotiators and K9 teams, to track down the perpetrators and locate the victim.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi revealed that the victim’s family received multiple WhatsApp messages shortly after the abduction.
One of the initial messages demanded R100,000 for the victim’s location, allegedly sent by a middleman who claimed the main suspects wanted a higher ransom of R5 million.
A video later sent to the victim’s family showed him blindfolded and tied up, accompanied by chilling threats that he would be killed if the demands were not met.
On February 28, law enforcement intercepted a black Volkswagen near Stellenbosch. Inside the car, the victim was found alive but had sustained serious head injuries.
He was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment. The swift operation led to the arrest of the three suspects at the scene.
The case has drawn significant attention, raising concerns about the increasing prevalence of ransom-related kidnappings. While the victim is currently recovering, the focus now shifts to the courts as they determine the suspects’ fate.
Authorities have commended the coordinated effort by various teams that ensured the victim’s safe recovery and the capture of the accused.
