Pic: Supplied
Alleged extortionist Akhona Jacu on Tuesday made a brief appearance on charges of kidnappings in court in eQonce.
The 40-year-old was arrested on charges of extortion in August 2023, and was later linked to five kidnappings of foreign national business owners in the border region.
The case against Jacu was postponed to 25 January 2024 for further investigations.
Meanwhile foreign nationals outside court rejoiced that the Hawks were finally cracking down on what some of them said was their torment of having to pay protection fees in fear of being kidnapped for ransom.
Hawks spokesperson Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said Jacu’s alleged accomplice, Bongani Swaartbooi, will finally face the law.
Swaartbooi spent months in hospital after crashing into a horse while fleeing the scene from Stutterheim.
Mhlakuvana said Swartbooi is expected to appear in court on 23 November 2023.
