. Three foreign nationals, one of whom is a pensioner, made another appearance in the East London Magistrate's Court in connection with the kidnapping of Emaan Fatima.
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The three men charged with the kidnapping of an East London girl made their fourth appearance in the local Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.
The accused, all foreign nationals, and one of whom is a pensioner, have not been named as officials cited that more arrests were imminent.
The trio, aged between 20 and 67, are charged with the kidnapping of Emaan Fatima.
The nine-year-old was snatched on February 4, outside Buffalo Flats while returning home from school.
It is understood a ransom was paid for her release.
Fatima was held captive for a week. Her father pleaded on national television for his daughter's release.
The Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigations (known as the Hawks) said the men made a brief appearance in court on Tuesday.
Spokesperson Colonel Avele Fumba said the matter was adjourned to March 25 for a formal bail application.
"All suspects are to remain in police custody."
There have been a spate of kidnappings in the country in recent weeks, and more especially in the Eastern Cape.
Crime statistics showed that a staggering increase in kidnappings in recent years.
Police minister Senzo Mchunu during the release of the quarterly crime statistics said they were concerned about the rise in kidnappings.
"We note that most of these kidnappings are said to be orchestrated from St Albans prisons, and the mastermind of these kidnappings still has access to several cellphones."
Cape Argus
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