File
Gqeberha police arrested four suspects after a man was kidnapped following an accident in Standford Road on Wednesday night.
Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg said the 39-year-old victim was later rescued from the kidnappers at the Algoa Park police station who went there to report the accident.
She said the drama unfolded at around 17:50 when a Toyota Quantum and Citroen were involved in a collision.
Janse Van Rensburg said the minibus occupants then abducted the driver and forced him into their vehicle, driving towards Govan Mbeki Avenue in North End where a woman joined them.
She said they contacted the victim’s mother and demanded R15 000 for his safe return or he would be killed.
The mother reported the kidnapping to Algoa Park police and after the information about the blue Citroen was circulated, the vehicle was recovered in Kwazakhele.
Meanwhile, Janse Van Rensburg said at around 01:00 on Thursday morning, the driver of the Toyota Quantum went to Algoa Park police station to report the accident, apparently unaware that police knew about the kidnapping.
She said while officers were taking a statement from him, other officers went outside and ordered the passengers out of the minibus, where they found the kidnapping victim who had also been assaulted.
He was taken to hospital for treatment and discharged.
The three men and the woman, aged between 32 and 46, were arrested on charges of hijacking, kidnapping, extortion and assault, while the minibus was also confiscated.
The four are due to appear in the New Brighton magistrate court on Friday.
