Ex-boyfriend (19) in custody following kidnap nightmare
A family's worst nightmare came true when three of their daughters, the youngest only five years old, were kidnapped on two different days by the same man.
MOKOPANE – Ali Marakalala (19), an ex-boyfriend of one of the victims (15), kidnapped her on her way to school on 19 April. He threatened her with a knife and then forced her into a dry river near Ga Madiba village.
Marakalala raped her, he then forced her to walk back to his house at Ga Madiba around 04:00 the next morning.
The victim’s family found her at Marakalala’s house. The victim’s uncle (26) confronted Marakalala and took the victim home.
Later during the day Marakalala went to the school the victim’s sister’s children attend and kidnapped her two daughters aged five and 10.
Const Mantatule Masibe, Mahwelereng Police Spokesperson, said: “The whole community, SAPS search and rescue teams with helicopters, K9 unit and security searched for the two girls. At dawn the air support was called off but the community kept on searching”.
Masibe said Maraklalala phoned his ex-girlfriend just before 19:00 and instructed her to go to Ga Madiba clinic alone to meet him there. During this time, the children saw an opportunity and escaped.
The police took the children to safety. Marakalala fled the scene.
During the investigation it came to light that Marakalala detained the children in an abandoned small toilet and threatened them with a knife. Marakalala also tried to commit suicide in front of the children by hanging himself in the toilet with a wire. The children were examined by a doctor and found to be unharmed. They will receive counselling.
Marakalala turned himself in on 21 April at the Mahwelereng Police Station. He appeared in court on Monday and his case was postponed to 4 May, he remains in custody.
Masibe expressed her appreciation to all those who helped. According to Masibe kidnapping and raping is a serious problem in communities.
“The adults sometimes use the children for their own vindictive agendas and they do not think about the damage they cause to the children. Victims should know to report any crime to the police. It is the only way the culprits will face and be held accountable for their actions.”
redaksie.bosvelder@nmgroup.co.za
