An Eastern Cape provincial health department nurse appeared briefly in the Ngcobo magistrate’s court on Thursday facing charges of kidnapping.
This after 10 armed men allegedly kidnapped two people and used their bank cards and pin numbers to withdraw more than R1.5m in cash.
Mthatha’s Ngangelizwe Community Health Centre professional assistant nurse, Ntsika Tyali, 38, appeared for the second time to apply for bail.
The court heard that the matter could not proceed because his lawyer was not ready and requested a postponement.
The case was postponed to August 1.
Hawks provincial spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said the state would oppose bail.
He said that, for now, Tyali was facing a charge of conspiracy to kidnap and robbery, two counts of kidnapping, one count of robbery with aggravating circumstances and theft of a motor vehicle.
He said further charges relating to the R1.5m could be added later.
Tyali wore a bright yellow hoodie and tried to cover his face when photographers took his picture.
Tyali was arrested by the Mthatha-based serious organised crime investigation unit in a joint effort with the Mthatha K9 and Madeira SAPS Vispol members on July 17.
He appeared briefly in the Ngcobo magistrate’s court on July 19 and the matter was postponed to July 25.
“It is alleged that on June 6 2024, two victims were reportedly accosted by about 10 unidentified armed suspects who barged into their homestead in Ngcobo and held them up,” Mhlakuvana said.
“The victims were forced into vehicles and taken to an unknown location.
“Later, a ransom was demanded.
“During the incident, the suspects reportedly took the victims’ bank cards and pin numbers, allegedly withdrawing cash in tranches.
“They also purchased expensive clothing from various retail stores.
“The victims [allegedly] suffered a loss of more than R1.5m.
“Due to the pressure exerted by the investigating team, the victims were released a couple of days later.”
Mhlakuvana said during the preliminary investigation, it was established that the accused had allegedly divided the cash among themselves.
“Through intensive investigation, the joint team spotted one of the people suspected of having been involved in the kidnapping driving a white Volkswagen Polo.
“Police stopped the vehicle and Tyali reportedly attempted to evade the arrest, but did not succeed and was arrested on the spot.”
Mhlakuvana said more arrests were imminent.
DispatchLIVE
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