A Dawn Park mother has shared the terrifying ordeal she endured after her 26-year-old son was kidnapped and held for ransom on February 27.

According to the mother, who wished to remain anonymous, the nightmare began while she was preparing to go to work. She received a call from unknown individuals demanding R6 000 for her son’s release.
“They told me they had my son and that he had been owing them money for two months. They demanded I send R6 000 immediately,” she said.

The suspects initially tried to contact her son’s father, and when they were unsuccessful, they sent him a WhatsApp message repeating the threats.
Fearing for her child’s life, the mother went to the police station while promising the kidnappers she would send the money.

“During this time, they called again angrily and sent a video showing him beaten, with cuts and burns on his forehead. It was horrifying.

“My son was covered in blood, and I felt completely helpless. I thought that was the end of him,” she said.

The kidnappers demanded proof that she had withdrawn the money. Acting quickly, she went to a nearby shopping centre, took a photo showing she was at the bank, and sent it to them.
“I then returned to the police station, continuing to coordinate with officers. Using phone-tracking technology, police traced the suspects’ location to Benoni,” she explained.

The mother said the kidnappers then changed their story, claiming her son had a drug problem and demanded R4 500 for a so-called “rehabilitation programme.”

“At the time, they forced my son to smoke an unknown substance.

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Despite the confusion and threats, I followed their instructions while staying in close contact with the police,” she added.

Acting quickly, she returned to the bank, withdrew the money, and informed the kidnappers she had it.
“They became angry, insisting the money be transferred, but I told them it had already been withdrawn. When asked where I was, I said I was in Benoni at a mall. I was with the police and, for my safety, insisted on meeting the suspects inside the mall,” she said.

While waiting in a nearby restaurant, two men approached her, unaware that undercover police officers were observing from another table.
In a swift operation, the officers arrested the two men at the restaurant, while the third suspect was apprehended outside the mall.

Meanwhile, her son, who had been held in Actonville, managed to escape and was later found hiding in a nearby church.
“He was badly bruised and immediately transported to hospital for medical attention.”

She explained that her son had been on his way to inquire about work when a car stopped and forced him inside.

“These people don’t know my child, nor does my child know them. It feels like something they do to random people. They asked him who his parents are and what they have,” she said.

She added that her son has since been discharged and is recovering from the ordeal.

Dawn Park SAPS spokesperson Nkemeleng Mabula confirmed the arrest of three suspects, aged between 30 and 46, in connection with the kidnapping and assault.

“The suspects were apprehended while attempting to collect the ransom at a mall in Benoni and are currently in custody, facing charges of kidnapping and assault.
“Further investigations are ongoing.”

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