By BAKANG MOKOTO
An Angolan man (46), who was arrested for kidnapping, human trafficking, extortion and Contravention of Section 29 of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002), briefly appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court.
Higino Da Silva Cruz’s arrest comes after the National Crime intelligence allegedly received a tip-off regarding the kidnapping of a Brazilian national (39) in Klerksdorp. The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said the team consisting of Provincial Organised Crime and Anti-Gang Unit, was mobilised and attended to the matter.
“The team proceeded to a guesthouse in Oudedorp, Klerksdorp, where the search was conducted. During the search, two non-South African men were found. One of them was the kidnapping victim, who is a Brazilian, while the other with Portugal, Angola and Namibia citizenships, was guarding the victim.
“The latter was successfully rescued and attended by paramedics. According to information, the victim and the suspects arrived at the guesthouse on 17 May 2024, after being offered a job on 2 April 2024, as a Diamond Expert in the country,” she said.
Myburgh further said Cruz allegedly entered the country through Angola and Namibia, then met the suspect who then took his passport and bank cards. She added that the victim was ultimately kidnapped and the suspects started to demand ransom.
“The accused was remanded in custody for further investigation. The case was postponed until 28 May 2024,” said Myburgh.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, applauded both the National and Provincial Units involved in the operation for their dedication that led to the arrest and rescuing of the victim.
TaungDailyNews 