The Hawks say more arrests are imminent in the extortion and kidnapping investigation involving 39-year-old Alize van der Merwe.
The Capetonian was abducted last month while driving a rented Fortuner SUV en route to the Mngazi Resort in Port St Johns.
Hawks spokesperson Warrant-Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana says three suspects between the ages of 30 and 36 appeared in the local Magistrates Court on Wednesday to face charges of armed robbery, kidnapping and extortion.
He says due to the sensitive nature of the case, the court ordered that no pictures or names of the suspects could be published as the investigation is ongoing.
Another 34-year-old woman, Xiaomei Tian was abducted while travelling between Barkley East and Khowa (formerly Elliot) just days before van der Merwe's kidnapping.
WO Mhlakuvana says a joint task team worked around the clock and arrested one suspect five days after van der Merwe's abduction.
He says the arrest put pressure on his accomplices who dropped the women off near the Sulenkama Police station, 180km away from Port St Johns.
A week later, two suspects were arrested in East London.
Four suspects allegedly involved in the kidnapping were shot dead in Keiskammahoek by the Tactical Response Team, while one suspect was wounded and in custody.
Police believe they have now cracked open the syndicate.
