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Suspected 28s gang and cocaine ties to kidnapping case among SA’s latest abduction developments

Suspected 28s gang and cocaine ties to kidnapping case among SA’s latest abduction developments
Caryn Dolley
By Caryn Dolley
5 Jul 2024
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A kidnapping case registered in the Western Cape may have ties to a gang, drugs and a vessel that was the focus of a sea rescue. This finding emerged after police said that over a six-month period, in different provinces, they have freed a total of 12 businessmen and six students targeted for ransom.

Police in the Western Cape have confirmed that they are investigating a kidnapping case that was registered in a suburb, where sections are known as 28s gang strongholds.

Daily Maverick understands that two men were apparently kidnapped in the same incident, and they may have suspected links to the Terrible Josters gang, which has ties to the 28s.

It is also understood that a R50-million ransom was requested.

Ongoing investigation


On Friday, 4 July, asked by Daily Maverick if they were aware of the matter, and provided with a key detail about it, Western Cape police spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk confirmed that a kidnapping case was registered at the Bishop Lavis police station in Cape Town.

“[The] investigation continues,” he said.

Given the sensitivity of the case, Daily Maverick has withheld certain details.

Parts of Bishop Lavis are known as 28s gang strongholds.

It is understood that the case may be connected to a consignment of cocaine and a rescue operation, involving a vessel, that happened off Cape Town’s coast.

Daily Maverick also understands that aspects of the case may have international links.

There have been several other developments, not linked to that case specifically but relating to kidnappings and similar matters, around South Africa, this week.

Abducted doctor


In a statement issued on Friday, police said that a doctor, Bongani Ngini, 55, was rescued hours earlier, at midnight in Gqeberha.

He had been abducted from his surgery on 1 July.

“At approximately 2.45pm on 1 July 2024, four masked suspects [barged] into Dr Nqini’s surgery and abducted him at gunpoint,” the statement said.

Six cellphones belonging to patients, as well as R6,000, were stolen.

Another R50,000 cash was apparently taken from Ngini’s vehicle.

“He was rescued unharmed and the vehicle suspected to be involved in the abduction was intercepted in the Sydwell area of Gqeberha,” the police statement said.

The man who had been driving the vehicle was arrested.  

Hostage in a hostel


In another statement issued on Friday, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said that an intelligence-driven operation involving the Special Task Force rescued a Portuguese businessman from a hostel in Soweto.

The man, who was reunited with his family, was the second Portuguese businessman rescued this week.

SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said: “The man who owns a Waltloo butchery in Johannesburg, was kidnapped last week in Southgate...

“The man was kidnapped for ransom payment, but no payment was made as a direct result of police acting swiftly.”



In a takedown operation on Thursday, two suspects were arrested. 

“At about 10.30pm on Thursday evening, the team descended onto the Nancefield Hostel in Soweto where the businessman was found tied up and guarded,” Mathe said.

“One more suspect was arrested at the hostel, and further information led the team to a house in White City, Soweto, where two other suspects were found.”

The rescued man’s bank cards and wallets were found with the suspects.

Suspected syndicate

Another Portuguese man was kidnapped from his business premises in Florida, Gauteng, on 24 June. 

“On Monday evening, 1 July 2024, the team traced the victim to a home in Snake Park, Soweto, where he had been in captivity,” Mathe said.

Read more in Daily Maverick: Alleged 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield limps into court alongside new accused in rapidly expanding case

“On the same evening, members also arrested one of his captors in Turfontein, Johannesburg.

“The 39-year-old suspect is believed to belong to a syndicate that is responsible for at least four other kidnappings where businessmen were the target, in the Johannesburg district.”

Anti-kidnapping investigators were tracing suspects who had been working with the arrested man.

Eighteen rescued, 49 arrested

Earlier this week, on Wednesday, the SAPS revealed that over the past six months, a unit led by its anti-kidnapping task team had rescued 12 businessmen and six students who were kidnapped for ransom. 

Mathe, in that statement, said no ransom payments were made in those cases “as a direct result of the expertise and capabilities of SAPS detectives, the crime intelligence unit, and collaboration with private security”.

Read more in Daily Maverick: The confusion about kidnapping in South Africa — the numbers just don’t add up

She added: “From January 2024 to date, 49 kidnappers who had demanded ransom payment from families of victims, have been arrested in Gauteng, North West and the Free State.”

Eight firearms and 21 vehicles used in those crimes had also been seized.

Mathe said the SAPS was confident that through collaborative work, including tip-offs from the public, it would be able to take down more kidnapping syndicates. DM

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