Swift action saves Sabie child from alleged kidnapper
The alleged kidnapping of an eight-year-old boy was staved off when members of Lydenburg’s Phoenix Security, the Sabie SAPS and Sabie Be Safe reacted to an urgent call late last night.
Capt Erick Swanepoel, Phoenix Security operations manager, told Steelburger/Lydenburg News that the alleged kidnapping happened at around 20:00 on Tuesday.
“The boy was snatched in Hazyview and information suggested that the main suspect, accompanied by another two passengers, were making their way to Lydenburg with the child,” Swanepoel said.
Three Phoenix Security vehicles in the nearby vicinity were immediately dispatched and a blockade arranged just before Sabie. Swanepoel said a vehicle with a description matching that of the alleged kidnapper’s was pulled over.
“The boy was found in the vehicle. He was unharmed but traumatised by the whole episode. He was taken to the Sabie Police Station, the nearest station.”
Swanepoel said the mother of the child met up with him at the station.
“Only one suspect will, at this time, be charged with the kidnapping of the child. According to the two passengers, they were not aware that the child was being kidnapped. The suspect had recently relocated to Lydenburg and was making his way back to town with the abducted child.”
Circumstances on how exactly the child was allegedly kidnapped are still vague at this stage. “We know he was forced into the vehicle of the suspect, which then sped off with him,” said Swanepoel.
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Sabie SAPS could not immediately be reached for comment. More information regarding the alleged kidnapping will follow. The suspect will be charged with kidnapping and the contravention of the Covid-19 lockdown regulations.
