News / Africa
'Kidnapped' man found at a braai with friends
28 Dec 2011 at 13:46hrs | Views
Port Elizabeth - A South African man from Port Elizabeth who claimed to have been kidnapped for a R5m ransom was arrested after being found at a braai with friends on Christmas Day, Beeld reported on Thursday.
He was expected to appear in court on Thursday on charges of obstruction of justice and fraud.
Police spokesperson Captain Stanley Jarvis was quoted as saying they suspected he wanted to use the money to get himself out of financial difficulties.
The man travelled to Johannesburg on business when, according to his wife, he disappeared between December 12 and 13.
On December 16 she went to the police and reported him missing. She said she had received a phone call from "kidnappers" demanding R5m ransom.
An organised crime unit went to work and looked at his cellphone statements to see who he had been in contact with.
Police also contacted his Facebook friends, and eventually got an address near Hartebeespoort dam, in the North West.
"On Christmas day local investigators went to the address and found him next to the braai with his friends," Jarvis told Beeld.
He was expected to appear in court on Thursday on charges of obstruction of justice and fraud.
Police spokesperson Captain Stanley Jarvis was quoted as saying they suspected he wanted to use the money to get himself out of financial difficulties.
The man travelled to Johannesburg on business when, according to his wife, he disappeared between December 12 and 13.
An organised crime unit went to work and looked at his cellphone statements to see who he had been in contact with.
Police also contacted his Facebook friends, and eventually got an address near Hartebeespoort dam, in the North West.
"On Christmas day local investigators went to the address and found him next to the braai with his friends," Jarvis told Beeld.
Source - Sapa
