Mike Bolhuis: ‘The kidnappers are in full control’
It is the opinion of specialist investigator, Mike Bolhuis that the Moti brothers are alive and he is confident that they will be returned to the family unharmed.
POLOKWANE – Specialist investigator Mike Bolhuis remains optimistic that the four Moti brothers will be returned to the family unharmed.
It has been more than two weeks since Zidan (6), Zayyad (11), Alaan (13) and Zia (15) were kidnapped from the vehicle they were travelling in to school on October 20.
Bolhuis told to Review he believes if the kidnappers wanted to harm the children, they would have done so at the scene. “I believe the children were taken solely for the purpose of money and it is our opinion that the children are safe. The kidnappers removed the most valuable the family has and in turn, will demand ransom for their return,” he emphasised.
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Bolhuis said the kidnappers were tactical in their approach and a high level of planning went into the kidnapping. “High-profile kidnappers use the tactic of keeping the children for a while, so as to ensure the parents will do anything to have their loved ones returned, and thus they can ensure they get the highest possible amount out of the family. The kidnappers did not leave any forensic evidence behind. They are in complete control.”
He also elaborated on the possible involvement of the driver, saying the fact that he was left behind shows that he is not of significance to the kidnappers. “As with all such cases, the initial person to be a suspect is the last one the children were seen with. We don’t believe he was involved.”
Read more: Kidnapping: Driver left behind; cops locate kids’ phones
In line with what the police have maintained in the past week relating to any progress on the case, Bolhuis agrees saying the investigation is a sensitive one and therefore, no information will be made public.
Bolhuis opined/speculated that: “If contact is made, they will do it in a manner that is not reported to the authorities. Unfortunately, it often happens that kidnappers ‘wheel and deal’, and sometimes they might even have information on the family that is of importance to police, which will be used against a family to negotiate. As I said, the kidnappers are in control. They give the rules of engagement and when the money is handed over, the children will be returned and no information will be released as per instruction from the kidnappers.”
According to Bolhuis, high-profile kidnappers often operate from outside the country’s borders. “There is the possibility that the kidnapping may be transatlantic. I won’t be surprised if people from international kidnapping rings are involved, and that the person who gives the instructions, is from outside the country.”
He said the authorities have good reason to remain tight-lipped about the investigation. “You can only blame the authorities if there are leads and they don’t follow up and do their jobs. But this is next-level kidnapping and it is for money, which is a scarce situation in our country.”
Bolhuis urged residents to remain ‘extra vigilant’, saying if they note anything suspicious, to notify the relevant authorities.
The police maintain that no further information will be made available on the case.
