A CITY of Cape Town law enforcement officer appeared in the Blue Downs Magistrates Court yesterday in connection with a gruesome kidnapping and murder case.
Thandile Khesa, 43, appeared composed as he stepped into the dock, where he was formally charged with kidnapping and murder.
His arrest on Monday morning followed a multi-disciplinary, intelligence-led operation involving the Hawks, the Provincial Anti-Kidnapping Unit, and Provincial Organised Crime detectives.
State prosecutor Litha Duka told the court that Khesa allegedly used a marked City of Cape Town Law Enforcement vehicle to transport the victim from Bellville to the location where he was assaulted.
CCTV footage allegedly captured the movement of the official vehicle from Bellville to Khayelitsha.
Khesa has been added as the fifth accused in the case, joining Mogamat Samuels, Thokozani Kamnjunga, Existing Mudivari, and Yasseen Jele.
The latter four are expected to appear in court on Thursday, 12 June, for a bail application. The State will oppose.
Reading from the charge sheet, Duka explained: “The deceased had gone to view a vehicle advertised by Accused 1, Samuels, and was subsequently kidnapped. The accused demanded a ransom of R100 000 from the victim’s family.
"The family managed to pay R5 000, but the victim was nonetheless assaulted and died of his injuries. Khesa used a marked City of Cape Town Law Enforcement bakkie in the commission of this crime.”
Hawks spokesperson Siyabulela Vukubi provided further details, stating that the victim was last seen on 16 May in Kraaifontein by a friend, who said he was headed to Bellville to view a vehicle.
A short time later, the victim phoned another friend, reporting that he had been kidnapped and was being assaulted.
Investigators tracked the suspects to addresses in Philippi and Kleinvlei, which led to the arrest of the four initial accused.
They were later led by one of the suspects to the victim’s shallow grave in the dunes near Monwabisi Beach.
Vukubi added: “On 17 May 2025, the team followed all the leads that led them to addresses in Philippi and Kleinvlei which resulted in the arrest of the four accused.
“The team was led to an open field on the dunes between Monwabisi beach and Macassar, where one of the accused pointed out a shallow grave where the victim was killed and buried.”
Prosecutor Duka requested that Khesa be detained at the Bellville police station.
The case was postponed to allow Khesa time to appoint a private attorney.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that Khesa intends to apply for bail and that arrangements can be made accordingly if his legal representation is in place.
