ZAMDELA – Five family members have been rescued after a kidnapping-ordeal in Amelia.
Authorities arrested two suspects and recovered the family’s stolen vehicle.
The family members were held at gunpoint with four unknown males demanding money and cellphones. The suspects also demanded the banking app pin in order to send themselves some money. A substantial amount of money was transferred from the accounts of the family.
The victim (63) and his wife (55), together with their three children, aged 38, 33 and 26, were taken hostage with their hands tied and their heads covered with pillowcases. The suspects forced the family members into two separate vehicles, of which one belongs to the family. They were taken to a RDP house in Orange Farm, Gauteng.
Zamdela police spokesperson Captain Loraine Earle said the police received a complaint of child neglect, but on arrival, they established that there is a possible house robbery and kidnapping of the five family members.
The Fezile Dabi District Trio Task Team, Fezile Dabi District Highway Patrol “Relief C”, Sasolburg Crime Intelligence, Provincial OCI and Zamdela Detectives swiftly reacted and followed information, which led them to the vehicle of the family found abandoned at Drieziek, Orange Farm.
“The family was dropped and left unharmed near Drieziek squatter camp. Authorities involved continued to the RDP house where the family was held hostage for the night and managed to apprehend two suspects.”
Earle said investigations still continues and more arrests are expected.
The two suspects, aged 26 and 58, will appear before the Sasolburg Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of house robbery and kidnapping.
