THOHOYANDOU – Members of the local police on Saturday arrested one of four Chinese men who allegedly kidnapped a well-known Chinese businessman in Thohoyandou.

The 40-year-old victim was about to enter his home about three weeks ago, when four suspects emerged next to his gate. It is alleged that several of the suspects pointed firearms at him and forced him to get inside their vehicle and drove away.

It is also alleged that the kidnapers then phoned one of the businessman’s employees, demanding half a million rand in exchange for his release. The employee was also told by the kidnappers not to inform the police about the incident.

Nevertheless, the employee informed the police about the matter and they immediately started with their investigations and search for the man.

At that time, the victim was kept in Thathe Vondo plantation near the town of Sibasa. He was tied up with rope and was severely beaten. He later managed to untie himself and ran to the road, where he was later picked up by members of staff from the Department of Home Affairs.

Since that horror incident, the police officers from all around the province were on the look-out for the kidnappers.

The officials from the Department of Home Affairs were conducting their observation of illegal immigrants around the Vhembe Area on Saturday (21-08-2004).

One of the alleged kidnappers was arrested in a police clampdown on illegal immigrants and people who were not in possession of legal documents.

The 46-year-old Chinese man appeared in Thohoyandou Magistrate’s court on Monday, and the case was postponed to September 2.

The SAPS spokesperson in the Vhembe area, Capt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi, said that police officers are looking for three suspects who are still at large. Mushavhanamadi said that the police are appealing to anyone with information about the whereabouts of the perpetrators to contact their nearest police station.