'Cop impersonators' seek bail in religious leader's kidnapping and extortion case

R50 000 RANSOM DEMAND

- NADIA KHAN [e-mail]

THREE men, including the son of a former police officer, who allegedly kidnapped a Muslim religious leader on the pretext of being SAPS members and then demanded a R50 000 ransom, have asked the court to be released on bail in order to take care of their families.

Dilano Jarret Naidu, 30, of Morningside; Selestian Cole Govender, 28, of Reservoir Hills; and Cornell Venketsamy, 22, of Overport, were arrested by members of the Hawks Provincial Tracking Team in May this year.

They were charged with kidnapping, extortion, impersonating a police officer, and robbery with aggravating circumstances. They also allegedly pretended to be Colonel Deena Govender of the Hawks.

Naidu is facing additional charges of kidnapping, extortion, impersonating a police officer, robbery with aggravating circumstances and fraud.

During the bail application last Wednesday, State prosecutor Calvin Govender said in March this year, the accused allegedly approached the victim, a moulana, showed him police badges, and then drove around with him in the backseat of his vehicle in Overport.

Investigating officer, Detective Warrant Officer Sivan Naidoo of the Hawks, in his affidavit said the accused were charged with serious offences and he opposed bail.

He said on March 22 this year, the moulana, a foreign national, was lured to a fast food restaurant in Durban North by the accused on the pretext of purchasing sexual enhancement pills for men.

Naidoo said upon reaching, the accused redirected the victim to a mall in Overport after noticing a metro police vehicle.

He said the victim noticed the accused got into a white Suzuki Ertiga 6.

Naidoo said in the mall parking lot, Naidu and Govender approached the victim's vehicle and identified themselves as policemen.

"They produced a police badge and 'placed him under arrest'. He was forced into the back seat of his vehicle at gunpoint."