Alleged kidnapper’s case postponed

RUDOLF Carstens (29), who is charged with robbery, two counts of kidnapping, attempted murder and extortion, made a brief appearance in Swakopmund’s Regional Court on Monday, just to hear that the case was postponed until December 3.

Carstens, who is out on bail, was allegedly part of a duo that in January 2004 went on a crime spree involving the kidnapping of Santelle Garces and her two-year-old son in Walvis Bay. His co-accused, Steven Visagie, is serving a 24-year prison sentence for kidnapping Garces and her son by forcing her into the boot of her own BMW.The kidnap victims were then taken to a flat, where Garces was placed into a deepfreeze.Her son was taken back to her house and left there.Visagie pleaded guilty and was convicted at the end of 2005, while Carstens, who was allegedly the “mastermind” behind the crimes, is still awaiting trial.His co-accused, Steven Visagie, is serving a 24-year prison sentence for kidnapping Garces and her son by forcing her into the boot of her own BMW.The kidnap victims were then taken to a flat, where Garces was placed into a deepfreeze.Her son was taken back to her house and left there.Visagie pleaded guilty and was convicted at the end of 2005, while Carstens, who was allegedly the “mastermind” behind the crimes, is still awaiting trial.