Hunt ends for ‘kidnapped’ man after scare revealed as ‘only a prank’

Do not spread fake news or bogus messages about human trafficking or the kidnapping of women and children, warned the Hawks on Wednesday.

“This follows an incident where fake news surfaced on various social media platforms alleging a 32-year foreign national took a flight from Zimbabwe to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on December 1 to meet his fiancé,” Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani said.

“She indicated he was here to collect her andthey would return for their wedding ceremony. Information indicated he landed at Cape Town International Airport on a flight from Johannesburg.

“At about 8pm, the fiancé is said to have received messages from his phone that stated, ‘WE GOT HIM’, demanding money for his safe return.

“No ransom amount was mentioned.”

A kidnapping task team sprang into action, diverting police resources, to locate the man, but established there was no flight from Johannesburg matching details provided in the message.

In addition, nobody with a matching name and surname had travelled from Zimbabwe to South Africa in the past three months.

“The complainant received another message hours later indicating the victim was on his way home and that his phone battery is flat.

“The complainant contacted his family, who indicated he was safe and it was only a prank,” said Hani.