The kidnapper and extortionist was sentenced in the Khayelitsha Regional Court.
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
A 50-year-old man was sentenced by the Khayelitsha Regional Court in Cape Town, for crimes including kidnapping and extortion.
Lungisa Mafuneka was convicted on charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, two counts of kidnapping, and extortion after pleading guilty.
The provincial spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as Hawks), Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi said two victims were kidnapped in Mandela Park in Khayelitsha while travelling in their vehicle in November 2022.
The kidnappers allegedly demanded R400,000 from their family for ransom.
“The investigation by the multi-disciplinary comprising of the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Kidnapping Task Team, Provincial Office Organised Crime, Crime Intelligence, South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC), Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and Law Enforcement led the team to the identification of the suspects," Vukubi said.
"The victims' vehicle was subsequently recovered in the process. The investigation further revealed that the family of the victims ended up paying R30,000 on November 28, 2022."
Two suspects were arrested with cash receipts and a cell phone which was allegedly used in the extortion communications.
Mafuneka was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, 10 years imprisonment for each count of kidnapping and five years imprisonment for extortion.
The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently and he will effectively serve 13 years imprisonment.
He was further declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Mafuneka’s co-accused, Siviwe Yekiso's case was remanded until March 14, 2025, for plea confirmation. He remains in custody.
The Acting Provincial Head of the Hawks, Brigadier Ramovha expressed his satisfaction in the manner in which the investigation was collectively conducted and ensured that the perpetrators face the full might of the law.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
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