Johannesburg - The man who was kidnapped last week in Free State has been found dead in Virginia, police said on Monday.
Police said the man, who has been identified Andries Mcwele, was kidnapped from his residence in Nyakallong, Allanridge on Thursday.
Mcwele was taken away by two men in a blue Honda Ballade sedan with registration number CTF 249 FS. He was taken to shaft number 2 mine at Allanridge, where they met with a man identified only as “Lucky”, who resides at G-hostel in Thabong, police said.
Later the kidnappers demanded a ransom of R290 000 from Mcwele’s sister. She reported the matter to the Allanridge Police Station after she failed to raise the full amount. Mcwele’s sister raised R47 000, but the kidnappers wanted the full ransom they had demanded.
Once alerted, police set a trap for the kidnappers and arrested two suspects when they came to collect the ransom.
“Two Lesotho men aged 22 and 48 years old were arrested on the same night of 19 November 2015 at about 22:00. The two suspects were interrogated to reveal the whereabouts of Mr Mcwele but all in vain,” police said.
At least R47 000 and a Honda Ballade, belonging to a 48-year-old suspect, were seized.
On Monday, police revealed that Mcwele’s body had been found.
“Apparently on Friday the 20 November 2015 at about 11:00 a shepherd saw a black vehicle stopped in the bush in Densa farm in Virginia district, people alighted and it looked as if there was a fight,” police said.
“The occupants went to the bush and came out after a while and drove off with the same vehicle [Honda Ballade].
“The shepherd came closer and discovered that a man was killed. He sought help and Virginia Police were called in.”
Mcwele’s body was found with multiple wounds and there was blood at the scene, where he was found.
Police are investigating a case of kidnapping and murder. They did not say when the arrested pair would appear in court.
ANA