JOHANNESBURG – Interpol arrested a Turkish fugitive, a former primary school principal, in Cape Town.
He was wanted in connection with charges of sexual assault, kidnapping and intimidation involving a nine-year-old victim.
The former principal was arrested on Monday, 21 September 2026, and has since appeared before the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court.
Meanwhile, 40-year-old Turkish fugitive has been arrested in Isipingo, KwaZulu-Natal, on Thursday. The arrest was affected by Interpol South Africa’s Fugitive Investigation Team, supported by Crime Intelligence, members from the Isipingo Police Station and private security.
Turkish authorities to stand trial on charges of rape, sexual assault, kidnapping, malicious damage to property and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), which were reported to the Eskişehir Police Department in Türkiye.
According to the information received from Turkish authorities, SAPS spokesperson Colonel Amanda van Wyk said, the suspect allegedly kidnapped his then-fiancée in 2010 and raped her over several days.
He also allegedly assaulted the victim by repeatedly striking her head against a wall, resulting in permanent physical and psychological impairment. The victim was 22 years old at the time of the alleged offences.
He then fled to Isipingo.
" Upon receipt of the extradition request from Turkish authorities, Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB) Pretoria obtained and executed a warrant in terms of Section 5(1)(b) of the relevant legislation, resulting in the fugitive’s arrest.
“The fugitive appeared before the Umlazi Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 2 October 2026 facing an extradition application by the government of the Republic of Türkiye to the Republic of South Africa.”