Middelburg Hawks co-op: 7 sentenced for Kriel-teen kidnapping
Seven jailed after kidnapping a teenage girl from Kriel, Mpumalanga in 2024.
Seven suspects were sentenced to prison after abducting a 13 year-old girl in Kriel and demanding ransom money from her mother.
It follows a successful joint investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit in Middelburg, Witbank Crime Intelligence, Kriel SAPS, and the Gauteng Flying Squad.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, four women and three men were each sentenced to four years’ direct imprisonment on Wednesday, 1 April. This brings the combined sentence to 28 years behind bars.
The kidnapping took place on 22 July 2024 in Kriel, when the teenager was abducted and taken in a white Toyota Starlet, registered in Gauteng.
The abductors contacted the girl’s mother and demanded R200 000, threatening to kill the child if the randsom money was not paid.
“They executed a detailed, well orchestrated kidnapping.” Lt Colonel Nkosi said.
Fearing for her daughter’s life, the mother made several deposits on four occasions while the teenager was being held.
A breakthrough came when two of the suspects were arrested at a shopping center in Vereeniging while attempting to withdraw one of the ransom payments. Authorities found R9 000 in cash and the vehicle believed to have been used during the kidnapping of the young girl.
Further investigation led officers to an informal settlement in Vosloorus, where the teenager was found unharmed inside a shack.
The accused were identified as Nelisiwe Mkhwanazi (33), Caleb Sebatane (25), siblings Dineo Zondo (44) and Dumisani Zondo (34), Thabang Mndebele (47), Patricia Mkhize (44) and Emelda Nkosi (40).
All seven appeared in court on 23 July 2024, where bail was denied.
They remained in custody until they were found guilty on 31 March 2026, before being sentenced yesterday, April 1, 2026.
The girl was safely reunited with her family following her rescue.
Provincial head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber, welcomed the outcome and commended those involved in bringing the matter to court.
“Their unwavering commitment, swift action and collective efforts, ensured justice for the kidnapping victim, her family and community.” Major General Nico Gerber said.
