Four police officers appear in court over alleged kidnapping of foreign national

Four Mpumalanga police officers have appeared before the Evander Magistrate’s Court in connection with the alleged kidnapping and robbery of a foreign national during a roadside stop earlier this year.

The Hawks’ Secunda-based serious organised crime investigation unit secured their appearance on Monday. The case stems from a January 2025 incident near the N17 toll plaza, where the officers allegedly stopped and searched a truck travelling from Piet Retief to Springs.

According to the Hawks, the truck driver had given a foreign national a lift.

During the search, the officers allegedly took a catalytic converter, two cellphones, and R3,500 in cash belonging to the victim. The victim and the truck driver were then allegedly forced into separate police vehicles.

The Hawks said the two vehicles drove off together before the vehicle carrying the truck driver made a U-turn.

"The victim alleged that he was dropped off in a secluded, dark area. He realised that there were lights in the distance. When trying to get to the lights, he realised that he was already on Delmas main road to Leslie. He hitchhiked a lift with another truck that dropped him off at Leslie police station, where he registered a case," said Hawks provincial spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi.

After what the Hawks described as a “professional investigation”, four officers — Constable Thabo Mnisi, 23, Sergeant Siyabonga Mbonani, 32, Sergeant Modishe Mokabane, 46, and Constable Sifiso Mazibuko, 41 — were linked to the case and summoned to appear in court.

The four accused police officers appeared before Evander Magistrate’s Court, where the case was postponed to 2 February 2026.

Mpumalanga head of the Hawks, Major General Nico Gerber has welcomed the arrests.

"No one is above the law. Our members should answer for their unlawful conduct. We will always perform our investigation without fear or favour, and there is no place for corrupt officials in the police," said Gerber.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

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