Suspected kidnapping kingpin Faizel Charloos was rearrested on Wednesday evening after only two days of freedom.
Charloos, who was supposed to appear in the Protea magistrate's court on Tuesday in connection with the 2022 kidnapping of Lukhman Kazi, fled from court and a warrant for his arrest was authorised.
On Thursday morning, TimesLIVE Premium spoke to a security source involved with the hunt for Charloos and ultimately his arrest in Bela-Bela.
“On Wednesday actionable intelligence led a tactical team to a resort in Bela-Bela, Limpopo. Surveillance footage confirmed that Charloos had checked into the resort on April 1 and was joined by his family a day later,” the security cluster source said.
“The team moved swiftly and Charloos was arrested on-site.
“In the operation, members also seized multiple mobile devices and a white VW Polo linked to the 2025 kidnapping investigation.
“Charloos faces multiple charges linked to four cases. He was handed over to the Limpopo Highway Patrol and the SAPS Anti-Kidnapping Unit, then transferred to Gauteng, where he remains in custody under the care of the investigating officers.”
Charloos’ arrest follows the capture of Ahmed Kazi on March 26. Kazi led law enforcement to a house in Elandsfontein, south of Johannesburg, which became the site of a rescue operation.
At the Elandsfontein location two suspects, Thokozani Sithole and Khanye Magadla, were arrested.
“A 20-year-old kidnapped student from Lenasia, Muhammad Bhiko, was found alive and safely rescued.”
A fourth suspect, Abdullah Hassim, was apprehended shortly after the rescue in Lenasia for his role in the kidnapping.
It is understood by TimesLIVE Premium that further arrests are expected.
The suspects linked to the latest case will appear on Monday in the Orlando magistrate's court and the trial linked to the 2022 arrests was postponed to April 15.
Police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the arrest.
“Through crime intelligence-led information, Faizel Charloos was arrested at Bela-Bela last night after a warrant of arrest was issued for him when he did not pitch for his court appearance scheduled on Tuesday for a 2022 kidnapping case,” Nevhuhulwi said on Thursday.
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.