South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) in the Western Cape has secured a forfeiture order against two Zimbabwean nationals accused of kidnapping and extortion.
Truth Mambemba and Takudzwa Chauruka were arrested in October 2024 after allegedly kidnapping a 20-year-old Stellenbosch University student and extorting R200,000 from her parents.
According to court papers, the student was approached near a nightclub on October 2 and driven toward the highway, where she was allegedly threatened with a firearm.
The suspects reportedly instructed her to call her father and demand ransom money. Although the family initially proposed a lower amount, the accused allegedly insisted on R200,000, which was deposited into the victim’s bank account before being withdrawn from multiple ATMs.
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Police arrested the pair the following day after stopping their vehicle on the N2 near Groot Brakrivier, outside George. Officers recovered R89,000 in cash, along with the student’s bank card and cellphone.
On Thursday, the Western Cape High Court granted the AFU a preservation order for the R89,000 seized during the arrest.
The criminal matter is scheduled to return to court on March 3.
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