Three suspects were arrested in connection with kidnapping two minors in Graskop on Friday June 17.
According to provincial police spokesperson Brig Selvy Mohlala, the two boys, both aged 15 from two separate families, were allegedly locked up at a house in Graskop without the knowledge of their parents.
ALSO READ: Donate blood at Nelspruit Rugby Club
“Subsequent to the information reaching the community in the area, a group converged to go to a house where the two kids were suspected to have been kept. Nonetheless, police in the area were not officially informed about the disappearance of the children. The group of people proceeded to the residence of a lady, thereby inquiring on the whereabouts of the kids upon arrival. However the woman informed them that the children were not available at the time but were rather in Marite near BushbuckRidge,” he said.
Mohlala further said members of the community lost patience and forced their way into the hut. They then found the two boys, who appeared to be in an unstable state of mind. The two boys had visible wounds on their bodies.
ALSO READ: Nelspruit SPCA educates the Barberton area
“The woman was then assaulted by the group and she sustained some injuries. Police were alerted about the developments and they swiftly went to the scene to rescue the situation. We then apprehended the 49-year-old woman as well as a 17-year-old boy and a 24-year-old man on charges of kidnapping. The woman was taken to hospital for treatment under police guard while the two males were detained,” he said.
The 24-year-old man, Japhet Sekatane, has already appeared in the Graskop Magistrate’s Court facing charges. He was remanded in custody and his matter was postponed to July 12 for further investigation.
Meanwhile, police are working in collaboration with probation officers as the other arrested suspect is a minor who is also expected to also appear in court soon.
