Two 15-year-old boys from separate families were rescued from a kidnapping incident by a group of angry community members. The police managed to arrest three suspects, including a 17-year-old, who were charged with kidnapping after the children had been found locked in one of the suspects’ hut on Friday June 17.
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A provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, said the kidnappings had not been reported to the police. “It is said that the group of people proceeded to the residence of a 49-year-old woman, enquiring about the whereabouts of the kids. However, she reportedly informed them that the children were not available at the time, but were in Marite near Bushbuckridge,” Mohlala said.
“It is further said the members of the community lost patience and forced their way through into her hut. There they found the two boys who appeared to have been in an unstable state of mind.”
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Mohlala said the children had had some visible wounds on their bodies. The woman was assaulted by the group and sustained some injuries. “The police apprehended the woman, 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,” Mohlala said.
The 24-year old man appeared in the Graskop Magistrate’s Court facing these charges. His matter was postponed to July 12 for further investigation and he will be remanded in custody. The police are also working with probation officers and social workers as the other arrested male is a minor and is expected to also appear in court soon.
