A prominent Pinetown businesswoman was rescued in Witbank on Thursday evening after she was kidnapped and held for 162 days.
The South African Police Service said in a statement on its Facebook page that the woman was kidnapped in Pinetown on 31 May 2019 after which her family received calls for ransom set at R140 million and the matter was reported to the Hawks for investigation.
"Following an intensive investigation by the Hawks task team, a total of four suspects were traced and arrested of which two were arrested in Johannesburg while further investigations by the team led to the arrest of two additional suspects in Emalahleni (Witbank)."
Police said the 45-year-old victim was found bound in chains at a house in Emalahleni and was subsequently rescued by an integrated team of the Hawks assisted by Crime Intelligence Unit, Gauteng Provincial Organised Crime members and Ekurhuleni Metro Police.
"Three luxury vehicles worth R3 million and a firearm have since been seized for further investigation," the statement said.
The four suspects aged between 30 and 34 are expected to appear at Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday facing charges of kidnapping amongst other related charges that may be added as investigations continue.
