At the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court today, Warrant Officer Johannes De Lange, investigating officer in the case of how a businessman allegedly believed that if he kidnapped the 15-year-old daughter of a wealthy Pietermaritzburg family, he could easily bag R3 million to R4 million in ransom.

Asif Muhammad, owner of a cell phone and electronics shop in the Pietermaritzburg CBD had the done his homework – he had the names of the two victims and a well-orchestrated plan to kidnap and take his first victim outside the province, preferably to Lesotho.

However, an “informer” spilt the beans to police in and an undercover operation ensued as policeman posed as kidnappers and began interacting with the alleged kidnapper. He eventually confirmed his first target and was arrested the same day for conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

State prosecutor Rene Padayachee said that Mr. Muhammad was a flight risk, that the safety of witnesses needed to be protected and that the community was outraged.

A foreign national, Asif Muhammad, has been charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

Judgment on bail will be on Friday.