Cape Town cop accused of kidnapping, murder to await bail application outcome

CAPE TOWN - A Cape Town law enforcement officer accused of kidnapping and murder will have to wait until next week to find out if he'll be released on bail or not.

Thandile Khesa made a brief appearance at the Blue Downs Magistrates Court on Thursday, alongside four of his co-accused.

The group is accused of kidnapping a man in Kraaifontein on 16 May 2025, when he responded to an online advert for a car on sale but ended up dead.

The prosecution's case suggests that 43-year-old Khesa met with the deceased in Bellville, kidnapped him, and drove in a State-branded car to an open field near Khayelitsha.

It's further alleged that Khesa, together with Mogamat Samuels, Thokozani Kamnjunga, Existing Mudivari and Yaseen Jele, then demanded a ransom of R100,000 from the victim's family for his release.

When the family couldn't come up with the ransom money, the amount was reduced to R5,000, which was paid into a bank account provided by the accused.

Detectives were able to trace Samuels, Kamnjunga, Mudivari, and Jele to addresses in Philippi and Kleinvlei a day after the alleged kidnapping took place.

One of the accused led detectives to the crime scene between Monwabisi Beach and Macassar, where he pointed out a shallow grave where the victim was buried.

The law enforcement officer's bail application has been postponed until next week on Tuesday, while his co-accused will apply for bail later on Thursday.