Thursday marks one week since the kidnapping of Riana Pretorius, a young biokineticist in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape.
And while the Hawks work around the clock to ensure she is returned to her family unharmed, a man arrested in connection with her kidnapping will apply for bail on Friday.
Xolisile Rawutini, 40, appeared briefly in the city’s magistrate’s court on Monday, where he faces provisional charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Details have also since emerged on how Rawutini was nabbed just an hour after Pretorius was snatched outside her Newton Park workplace.
As news spread that she had been forced into a white Toyota Corolla by three armed men as she arrived for work at the Newton Medical Centre in Pickering Street at 8am on Thursday last week, police managed to swiftly trace the vehicle.
As a high-speed chase ensued, one of the alleged kidnappers threw something out the window, causing one of the police vehicles to stop.
When the Corolla finally came to a halt in Old Grahamstown Road, between Deal Party and Swartkops, Rawutini allegedly opened the left passenger door and tried to flee.
He was apprehended, but the driver and one other person fled on foot towards New Brighton.
Police conducting a search there were called and managed to arrest a second person but later released him after it was discovered they had the wrong man.
Ammunition and a firearm were confiscated and sent for ballistics tests.
The vehicle was dusted for fingerprints and DNA.
Friends and family of Pretorius, 26, continue to hold onto the hope she will be found alive after a R2m ransom demand was made for her release.
A prayer service was held on Sunday.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.