Four kidnappers arrested
RANDBURG – Four suspects will appear in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court in the next 48 hours in connection with the kidnapping of a mother and 8-month-old baby on 6 January.
Two hostage victims – a mother (24) and an eight-month-old baby girl – were rescued in Diepsloot Informal Settlement, on 6 January.
It is alleged that four suspects between the ages of 28 and 34 kidnapped the woman and her baby on 1 January. They will appear in Randburg Magistrates’ Court soon.
Warrant Officer Daniel Mavimbela spokesperson for the Cluster Commander SAPS Honeydew Cluster explains, “It is suggested the woman and her baby travelled with the suspects from Zimbabwe. The agreed fare was reportedly R300. It is alleged that before she could reach her intended destination, Brits, where she was going to visit her husband, the fare was inflated to R1 500. She was taken to Diepsloot because she could not afford that amount.”
The woman’s husband was contacted by the suspects who demanded that he pay them R1 500.
They also threatened that he would never see his wife and child if he did not pay.
The husband then contacted the Diepsloot Police, where a tracing unit was deployed and the suspects were apprehended in Extension 1.
The mother and baby were rescued in Extension 6.
The rescued victims were treated for dehydration by paramedics – the baby girl also received oxygen for a short while.
It is alleged that the mother was only fed cold drinks since the date of the kidnapping.
Mavimbela said that police officers worked hard to ensure that both were properly hydrated before transporting them to Brits.
According to the court official, the suspects will appear at Randburg Magistrates’ Court in about 48 hours.
Details: Diepsloot SAPS Station, 012 399 0000.
