Former cop among six arrested for kidnapping
Two days of tireless police work across three towns led to the arrest of six suspects – one of them being a former police officer who had police uniforms. A victim was also rescued.
A kidnapping call recently led the Kagiso Police to Vanderbijlpark, Sasolburg, and back to the West Rand, and not only was the victim rescued but law enforcement also managed to arrest the kidnappers.
Kagiso Police spokesperson Captain Solomon Sibiya explained that working around the clock, their serious and violent crime teams were eventually led to Sasolburg where they arrested the first kidnapper.
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They received a call on Tuesday, March 14 about a 26-year-old victim who was kidnapped in Swaneville. The police followed up on information that led them to Vanderbijlpark where the victim was raped and kept before being moved.
“Once they arrived at the hiding spot in Vanderbijlpark, the leads further took them to Sasolburg where they were joined by their Sasolburg police detective counterparts.”
Also read: Four men arrested for hijacking, kidnapping in Tarlton
Once again they managed to find out where the other kidnappers were hiding and pounced on them. Two suspects were cornered and arrested and the police managed to rescue the victim.
“Further information led the teams to Mogale Junction where upon arrival they spotted a vehicle fitting the description.”
The police stopped the vehicle and found out that the suspect was a former police officer. They also found that the 38-year-old former police officer had police uniforms and security uniforms with a badge similar to that of the Metro Police. The suspect also had a pellet gun.
Later, four more suspects aged between 35 and 43 were arrested and detained at the Kagiso police station. They are all facing charges of kidnapping, rape, armed robbery, impersonating a police officer, and possession of suspected stolen goods as well as a pellet gun.
Major General Fred Kekana, the West Rand District Police Commissioner, commented that criminals cannot run or hide from the long arm of the law.
“We are in charge of the West Rand and we won’t tolerate lawlessness,” he warned.
