The two kidnappers of a prominent Mthatha businessman, who was kidnapped, tortured and locked in an rented village home for a week, have been sentenced to an effective 10 years each in jail.
In 2019, Vuyolwethu Fadana was kidnapped and nearly killed by his kidnappers, who demanded a R1m ransom from his family and friends.
Eastern Cape Hawks provincial spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said Fadana had been kidnapped while on his way home from his family business at the Madeira Mall in Mthatha on May 13 2019.
On Wednesday the Mthatha regional court sentenced Zimbabwean national Dube Mhlanga, 22, and Libode resident Sibongiseni Simon Mdingi, 38, each to 10 years direct imprisonment.
Mgolodela said the third suspect, a Zimbabwean national Michael Wopela, 39, had been shot and killed during a shoot-out with police at Lower Ngqwarha village near Mqanduli, when they swooped on the kidnappers to rescue Fadana on May 18 2019.
“On the night of the kidnapping, Fadana was removing a branch that blocked the entrance to his driveway, when the suspects hit him on the back of his head with a blunt object and he lost consciousness,” Mgolodela said.
She said when Fadana regained consciousness, he discovered he was being held in his vehicle by three armed men who promised not to harm him if he complied with their instructions.
“A ransom of R1m was demanded from his family and the police were alerted. An operation was conducted which led to the safe rescue of Fadana, five days after the kidnapping,” she said.
She said he had been kept in captivity in a rented house in Tyumbu village near Mthatha where he had lain bound, his head covered with a balaclava and a plastic bag and cloth shoved into his mouth for the five days.
On the day of his dramatic rescue on May 18 2019, his captors sharpened their knives and became violent telling Fadana that it would be his last day alive if his mother Nophelo Fadana and Sizwe Kupelo did not commit to their promise and deliver the cash.
Fadana is involved in property and farming business together with Kupelo in the Mthatha and Libode area.
Fadana told the Dispatch he was glad his kidnappers had been sentenced.
“That was traumatic, I lost hope and knew I would not see my mother again. I was counting the hours to my death, but I never stopped praying,” Fadana said.
“I heard the door opening and thought that my captors were back to kill me. But I was so relieved and excited that it was in fact the police who had come to rescue me.
“I could not believe it. I will never forget the day I thought I would be killed but was rescued by the police.
“I now feel safe and have closed that chapter and can focus on my life.”
Hawks provincial head, Major-General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, commended the Mthatha Serious Organised Crime Investigation team for ensuring that the criminals faced the full might of law.
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