The kidnapping drama surrounding 12-year-old Marcel Blandin de Chalain of Newcastle finally came to an end in Roodepoort today (21 May).
A man, Johan de Beer, asked Marcel’s mother Adri on Sunday (18 May) to borrow her Ford Ranger bakkie to dump rubbish. The boy went with De Beer but when they did not return after two hours Blandin de Chalain realised something was wrong. She reported the matter and an intensive manhunt was launched that involved everyone from the police and public to the neighbourhood watch and security companies. Social media also were ablaze as people reported sightings.
The alleged kidnapper and Marcel were seen with hitchhikers in various places. They were spotted in Elandslaagte and again in Bloemfontein where they were caught on CCTV camera at a petrol station.
All the while Newcastle Advertiser (a sister paper of the Roodepoort record) journalist Kyle Cowan was in the thick of things, playing an integral part in coordinating the search. Cowan went as far as following the sightings as they were reported.
Marcel finally was found at the home of the kidnapper’s father Hans de Beer in Roodepoort . De Beer junior left Marcel there after seeing reports on social media and realising what trouble he found himself in and fled.
Marcel has indicated that he was taken against his will.
