The three people who were arrested in connection with the kidnapping of Alize van der Merwe made their first appearance in the Port St. Johns Magistrates Court in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday.
The trio, which includes a couple, have been charged with kidnapping.
The couple face an additional charge of possession of a stolen vehicle which they are appearing for in Cradock.
The Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation known as the Hawks said the trio are allegedly part of a kidnapping syndicate.
Following their appearance in court, the Hawks said that due to the nature of the case, an order was issued that the names and pictures of the three kidnapping suspects who appeared before Port St John's Magistrate's court need not be circulated.
