Bitcoin case suspects granted bail
Both suspects appeared at the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and were granted R1000 bail each.
Police have managed to crack the complex Bitcoin cases that took place in Witbank and Middelburg last year in separate incidents, where two children were allegedly kidnapped and bitcoins demanded as ransom.
The suspects, Sithabiso Mchunu(31) and Ndumiso Sithole (30) were arrested at different locations. Sithole was nabbed in November at Germiston and Mchunu at Ladysmith, Kwazulu Natal on December 30, 2018.
In May 2018, the suspects kidnapped 13- year -old Katlego Marite while he was playing outside his parents’ house in Witbank. They then left a ransom note, demanding Bitcoins in exchange for his freedom.
A few months later, the suspects attempted to kidnap another teenager in Middelburg. They dragged her into their vehicle, a VW Polo where the girl shouted for help and was heard by a group of people. working nearby, who swiftly came to her aid and helped her escape.
The suspects fled the scene thereafter leaving their vehicle abandoned with their belongings inside. During investigation it was established that they had the same intentions as in the first case.
They appeared at the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and were granted R1000 bail each.
