Brakpan police are investigating a case of kidnapping after a 21-year-old woman was abducted for ransom money.
The victim was later released by her abductors, who took her cash and cellphone.
According to local SAPS spokesperson Captain Pearl van Staad, the victim, who hails from Cloverdene in Benoni, was kidnapped along Wanderers Street in Brakpan on Sunday at around 18:00 after finishing work.
The victim’s boyfriend reported the matter after she did not return home.
He also explained he received a call from her cellphone number and spoke to her. She told him she had been kidnapped and R2 000 was demanded her release.
One of the kidnappers also spoke to the boyfriend and told him to e-wallet the money. The boyfriend told the man he does not have money and the call was ended.
“After a while, the kidnapper called again, asking for money. The boyfriend again said he has no money,” said van Staad.
Police contacted the victim’s relatives to get more information and managed to speak with the victim’s mother who later confirmed her daughter was home.
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An officer then went to the victim’s house where she stated four males in a white Toyota Quantum had picked her up.
“There were six young girls in the Quantum. They demanded money from their families,” said van Staad.
“The men had blood on their clothes, telling the girls they are killing people. The victim and another girl were dropped at Springs Mine after the men took their phones and cash.
“The victim sustained a burn wound to her left leg where one man burned her with a cigarette.”
Van Staad urged community members to take down the registration numbers of taxis and forward them to family members or friends before entering the taxi and to be vigilant and mindful of their surroundings.
Other safety tips to take note of are:
• If possible, travel with people you know.
• Avoid being the last person in the taxi, particularly at night.
• Know where you are going.
• Avoid carrying expensive valuables.
• If you do fall victim to criminals in a taxi, stay alert.
This will enable you to identify the perpetrators and assist the police. If you did not take down the taxi’s registration number, try to memorise identifying marks, such as dents or stickers.
Victims may not always get a good look at the perpetrators – and are often instructed not to look at them – but try to remember other features, such as clothing or accents.
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