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Hawks nab another suspect for kidnapping of GQ businessman


The Hawks have arrested another suspect in connection with the April kidnapping of a Gqeberha businessman from his business premises in North End.

Running Rodney Chen, 31, was kidnapped at his business premises in Doyle Street on 5 April.

Chen is the owner of R&R Windscreens in North End. 

The 59-year-old suspect is also seemingly linked to the kidnapping of Sonam Gajjar, 34, who was taken in her driveway on Mosel Road in Kariega on 13 March.

Also read: Kidnapped Sonam Gajjar released after R2m ransom paid 

After Chen's kidnappers snatched him, they demanded a ransom from his mother.

He was dropped off in Kariega in the middle of the night after six days after a ransom had been paid.

A few days after Chen's release, a Toyota Fortuner and Audi were identified as the vehicles that were allegedly used in Chen's kidnapping.

Hawks spokesperson Warrant-Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said a search warrant was executed at the suspect's home in Motherwell on 4 June.

Here, the Audi that was allegedly used in the commission of the kidnapping was seized.

Preliminary investigations established that Chen was allegedly transported to three different addresses in Gqeberha by the same Audi.

On Sunday, police spotted the suspect in a VW Tiguan at Fort Beaufort in the Eastern Cape.

When police pulled the vehicle over about 3 km from the town, the suspect jumped out of the car and attempted to evade arrest.

"He allegedly ran into the nearby bushes where he was later caught and apprehended.

Besides him in the car, were his wife and two other family members," said Mhlakuvana.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Gqeberha Magistrate's Court soon on charges of Chen's kidnapping alongside his co-accused, Mzonoxolo Grwayibana.

Also read: GQ businessman's alleged kidnapper in court 

Grwayibana was arrested on 16 May and released on bail of R3 000 seven days later.

His case was remanded to 16 July.

The new suspects' arrest was made possible due to tireless efforts by the Gqeberha Serious Organised Crime Investigation team of the Hawks, the Provincial Crime Intelligence (CI) and Makanda K9 members. 

The Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya appreciated the joint effort of the team in ensuring that the culprit was brought forward to face the mighty arm of "Lady Justice".