Police return kidnapped girl back home
BRIXTON – 40 year old suspect arrested in connection with kidnapping that took place in November 2021.
Police and the Gauteng Department of Education were pleased that an 11-year-old girl who had been kidnapped was back home with her family.
According to Brixton Police Station spokesperson Jeanette Backhoff, the rescue of the E.P Bauman Primary School learner was a result of an intelligence-driven operation.
She said, “According to reports received, a 40-year-old suspect was arrested with the help of Interpol in Mozambique while two other suspects were arrested in December 2021.” Although the girl was found unharmed, she was taken for medical evaluation and was reunited with her family in the early hours of January 5.
The girl was kidnapped outside her school in Mayfair on November 17 last year by three men at gunpoint. Initial reports stated that the young girl was abducted by three men in a silver Toyota Yaris with fake registration plates. An eyewitness said the schoolgirl was standing in line waiting to enter the school when the suspects grabbed and tried to drag her into a vehicle.
“The learner did not want to cooperate and was threatened with a firearm before being forced into the car. Police were alerted of the incident and all role players went to the scene while investigations and interventions to rescue the girl continued.”
Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi was delighted the young girl was finally back home with her family. He said, “We are delighted to receive this good news of the safe return of this girl learner. We will avail our Psycho-Social Unit to provide additional counselling to her given the trauma she has faced during this unfortunate incident.”
