Man Sentenced to 13 Years For Kidnapping And Extortion In Cape Town

A 50-year-old man, Lungisa Mafuneka, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for his involvement in the harrowing eight-day kidnapping and extortion ordeal of a Cape Town couple, Sabelo Ndwe and Melissa Aripiya.

Eight Days of Kidnapping Terror

The couple, who sold wigs in townships around Cape Town, were lured to Mandela Park, Khayelitsha, in November 2022 under the pretence of meeting a customer. They were ambushed, robbed of their wallets and bank cards, and taken hostage by gunmen, aware that one of them owned farms that could be sold for ransom.

During their captivity in a shack in Nkanini, Khayelitsha, the couple endured beatings with a spade, sjambok, and hammer while being denied adequate food and water.

After eight days, they managed to escape and report the crime.

Ransom Paid, Justice Delivered

The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom higher than R30,000, but the victims’ family paid the amount on November 28, 2022. A multidisciplinary team involving the Hawks, crime intelligence, and other agencies successfully identified the suspects. The victims’ vehicle and extortion evidence, including cash receipts and communication devices, were recovered.

Mafuneka pleaded guilty and received a combined sentence of 13 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, 10 years for each of two counts of kidnapping, and five years for extortion. However, the court ordered all sentences to run concurrently.

The case against the second accused has been postponed to March 14, 2025, for plea confirmation.

Hawks spokesperson Lt-Col Siyabulela Vukubi lauded the coordinated investigation, saying it showcased the effectiveness of collaborative efforts in tackling organised crime.

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