GQEBERHA – Two suspects charged with kidnapping Theresa Minnie (73) for a R10 million ransom appeared at Gqeberha Regional Court today, 30 January 2026, for the first time, with one suspect abandoning his bail application and another still intending to apply for bail.
READ: Minnie Kidnapping: Two suspects arrested with cash, firearms after 73-year-old woman released
UD Express previously reported that Ayabulela Busakwe and Andile Mathumbu face charges of kidnapping with intent to commit human trafficking and extortion following the alleged abduction of Theresa Minnie from her Fairbridge Heights home on the morning of 11 August 2025. The suspects allegedly demanded that her husband Karel pay R10 million for her safe return.
Busakwe, who is involved in another high-profile murder case involving State prosecutor Tracy Brown, has abandoned his bail application. Mathumbu intends to apply for bail at the next appearance.
The case docket had not yet been transferred from the Kariega Magistrate’s Court to the Gqeberha Regional Court, resulting in the postponement of the matter to give the new Legal Aid attorney time to familiarise herself with the case and also to determine which courtroom the matter will be heard in going forward.
The matter was provisionally remanded until 4 February 2026 for courtroom allocation, as all pending investigations have been concluded. The suspects will remain in custody.
