A reward of R50,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest, prosecution and sentencing of those found guilty of killing a Midrand man. (Photo: Andre Damons)
- A bounty has been offered following the murder of a Midrand man.
- The man was killed, reportedly execution-style, after money was transferred from his bank account.
- The police investigate a case of kidnapping and murder.
A private investigator has issued a R50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest, prosecution and sentencing of those found guilty of killing a Midrand man.
Kevin Soal, 68, was allegedly abducted from his home near Grand Central Airport in Midrand around midday Wednesday.
Gauteng Police spokesman Colonel Noxolo Kweza confirmed the incident.
“Police have opened and are investigating a kidnapping and murder file following the disappearance of a man,” Colonel Kweza said.
According to a private investigator, Mike Bolhuis, of the Specialized Security Services offering the R50,000 reward, received an urgent call at 9:00 p.m. from the victim’s daughter and other concerned people, asking for help in finding the man.
Kevin Soal (68) from Midrand kidnapped and killed. He withdrew a large amount of cash from his bank account. His car was found abandoned near a tavern in Tembisa. He was shot execution style and his body was found near Olifantsfontein. pic.twitter.com/5BtQMrMRut
—Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) December 15, 2022
“Specialized Security Services were ordered to assist in the search. A missing person case was opened and then escalated to kidnapping and then murder. It became clear that Soal was kidnapped, extorted and executed,” Bolhuis said.
According to Bolhuis, Soal’s white Mercedes Benz vehicle was apparently found in Tembisa, at a tavern called Mike’s Place, at approximately 4:00 p.m.
“An hour later, his cell phone was found in the industrial area of Clayville. Later that night, the young footballers heard gunshots and contacted the SAPS. At around 18:15, a body was found near Olifantsfontein and then identified as Soal’s,” he added.
Bolhuis claimed that a substantial amount of money was withdrawn from the victim’s account.
“The footballers identified a white Quantum bus, with a sticker with the word ‘STAFF’.
READ | Kidnapping cases double to more than 4,000 in second quarter
“Soal was kidnapped and held against his will, while the perpetrators attempted to extort money from him. While he was held captive, the perpetrators transferred a substantial amount of money from his account.
“The tragic details of the incident are that Soal was taken to an isolated area, where he was forced to kneel facing forward, kicked face down and shot twice in the head, execution style,” Bolhuis said.
kidnapping escalation
Bolhuis said there has been an escalation in kidnappings, which are turning into murders.
“The trend of more kidnappings where the victim is extorted for the maximum amount of money, then the victim would be discarded or mercilessly killed. All this happens very fast.
He said:
Perpetrators settle for smaller amounts of cash to move on to the next kidnapping. In the past, kidnapped victims had a better chance of surviving while the family was being extorted.
“Now, instead of taking the risk of keeping the victim safe for an extended period, smaller amounts are settled. The victim is often killed.”
