Two men have been arrested for kidnapping and raping a 17-year-old girl at Bloed Mall in the Pretoria CBD.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Tsietsi Lamola said the teen was kidnapped on Saturday, Rekord East reported.
“It is alleged two unknown men allegedly kidnapped the girl while she was on her way to a taxi rank,” said Lamola.
“The suspects demanded a ransom from the victim’s parents for her release.”
Lamola said a docket for kidnapping was opened at Pretoria Central Police Station.
“It was later found that the victim was pregnant and she was on her way to get an abortion when she met the two suspects.”
Lamola said the victim allegedly informed the men that she was pregnant and intended to terminate her pregnancy.
“The men promised to help her to carry out her plan to abort.”
The girl was taken to their place of residence, where she was raped and given a tablet afterwards.
Lamola said the tablet was inserted inside the victim so she could terminate the pregnancy.
“It is alleged that the victim’s father paid the ransom over the weekend.”
Investigations revealed that the abortion was already completed at the time of the arrest of the two men at Ivory Park, Midrand.
The two men, aged 30 and 44, are facing three charges of rape, kidnapping and extortion.
“Pretoria Central detective group Constables Phuti Mdaka, Louis Matsaung and Warrant Officer Norman Maluleke were instrumental in arresting the duo,” Lamola said.
The men appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
“Any person with information related to the kidnapping and rape is urged to come forward to secure a very harsh sentence to these suspects,” said Lamola.
“As the police we advise our fellow residents not to interact with people unknown to them. Rather consult with professionals at various institutions either from the private sector or government departments.”
– Caxton News Service
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