DURBAN –The UK has warned of a terrorist threat from extremists linked to the Islamic State (Isis) group, following the abduction of a South African-British couple in KZN, earlier this month. This warning came on the UK government’s website and it read:
“In February 2018, two South African-British dual nationals were kidnapped. There’s an increasing threat of kidnap throughout SA.
“Kidnaps can be for financial gain or motivated by criminality. British nationals can be perceived as being wealthier than locals and may be at particular risk of kidnap for financial gain.”
This warning is believed to be in reference to an elderly couple’s alleged abduction from the northern KwaZulu- Natal.
Spokesperson of the Hawks Captain Lloyd Ramovha on Tuesday confirmed that officers had swooped on two suspects thought to be linked to the disappearance of the 64-year old and a 73-year old, who went missing on February 12.
Ramovha added that while the couple had dual citizenship, they had lived in South Africa. He also said that the couple’s identities were not being revealed at present.
According to Ramovha, the police had been hunting the suspects- Fatima Patel ,27 and Sayfydeen Aslam del Vecchio 38- on arson charges since they allegedly torched a Huletts sugar cane field. They appeared before the Vryheid Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of kidnapping, robbery and arson.
Photo Credit- Safe Travels Magazine
Leave a Reply