Alleged kidnapping mastermind still in custody after charges are withdrawn

Daily Maverick

11 hours ago

Two kidnapping charges have been withdrawn against Mnyamazeli Tete, who remains in custody pending an appearance before the parole board at St Albans prison in Gqeberha.
The alleged mastermind behind a string of kidnappings in Nelson Mandela Bay, Mnyamazeli Tete, has been held in custody for more than a year. However, the alarming trend in abductions for ransom has continued despite his detention, with the most recent incident occurring last Saturday.
Two kidnapping charges have been withdrawn against the 60-year-old Tete, who remains in custody pending an appearance before the parole board at St Albans prison in Gqeberha.
'Clearly, my client is not the mastermind of kidnappings he was made out to be,' said Tete's attorney, Zolile Ngqeza.
'He has been in prison based on dangerous and unfounded allegations that he is somehow the kingpin of a major kidnapping ring, yet these crimes have not slowed down since his arrest.'
Tete was arrested near Fort Beaufort in June 2024 amid a spate of abductions that had the community on edge.
He was charged with the kidnappings of Chinese business owner Rodney Chen in April last year and Kariega resident Sonam Gajjar a month earlier.
Gajjar was abducted as she was leaving her home, while Chen was taken from his business premises in North End, Gqeberha.
Both were released within days after ransoms were reportedly paid.
Two months before Chen's kidnapping, his mother was abducted but managed to escape from her captors. Tete was not charged with that kidnapping.
He was linked to the two kidnappings after police allegedly found him in possession of banknotes covered with fluorescent powder, reportedly used to mark ransom money before payment.
The State further alleged that Tete's car, an Audi A4, was used during the commission of the crimes, and that his home in Motherwell was used to hold victims while the kidnappers awaited ransom payments.
Also facing charges was Tete's cousin and alleged accomplice, Mzoxolo Eric Grwayibana. He was released on R3,000 bail, while Tete was denied bail in July 2024 and has been in custody ever since.
However, according to court officials, the charges against both men were withdrawn after the State was unable to secure crucial witnesses to testify.
Ngqeza confirmed that the withdrawal was due to 'problems with witnesses' but declined to provide further details.
Despite the withdrawal of the kidnapping charges, Tete remains in custody. At the time of his arrest, he was out on parole for robbery with aggravating circumstances and murder in a case dating back to 1996.
Following his latest arrest, the Department of Correctional Services revoked his parole. 'Now that the charges against my client have been withdrawn, I expect him to be released from custody once we appear before the parole board,' said Ngqeza.
Police action
In December 2024, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu visited Nelson Mandela Bay to launch festive season operations.
During that visit, he highlighted community concerns about kidnappings and extortion.
In April, Mchunu returned for a follow-up engagement with community members and business leaders on contact crimes.
He met with representatives from the Chinese community, who voiced particular concern over the targeting of Chinese nationals by kidnappers.
'The safety of every person in this municipality, regardless of nationality, faith or background, is non-negotiable. We are deeply concerned about the recent spate of targeted crimes and are putting robust measures in place to address these threats head-on,' said Mchunu.
The ministry designated Nelson Mandela Bay as a 'hotspot' requiring intensified crime-fighting efforts. Mchunu's spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, said Operation Bamba was launched in March, deploying additional officers to combat organised crime.
'Yes, there are still occurrences of kidnappings, but we are progressing in tackling this crime,' said Mogotsi.
Most recently, 65-year-old Lindsay Knowlden was abducted by two armed men from a parking garage at the Fresh Produce Market in Markman Industrial last Saturday morning.
Her husband was assaulted while she was forced into a Volkswagen Polo and taken away. She was released four days later.
Two suspects before court
The trial of kidnapping accused Xolisile Rawutini and Xolani Kafile continues in the Gqeberha Magistrates' Court.
They are allegedly members of a group that abducted biokineticist Riana Pretorius from her workplace in Newton Park in March 2023. Pretorius was taken shortly after arriving at work, when armed men in the parking area forced her into a white Toyota Corolla.
She was released after a ransom of R1.1-million was paid. Rawutini was arrested on the same day after police traced the Corolla to Old Grahamstown Road, Deal Party, and apprehended him nearby as he tried to flee.
He claims he was in the area to steal copper cables and fled when he saw the police. He denied any involvement in the kidnapping. Kafile was arrested 12 days later in East London. He was allegedly found in possession of banknotes laced with fluorescent powder, which police say was used to mark the ransom money.
During court proceedings, police fingerprint expert Warrant Officer Philip Bekker testified that Kafile's palm print was found on the boot of the Corolla allegedly used in the kidnapping. DM