Four suspects will today appear in the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court to face charges of kidnapping, robbery and assault.

The suspects – three males and one female – were nabbed by Middelburg’s Crime Prevention Unit officers on Saturday.

According to a statement by Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the suspects are aged between 18 and 29.

“It is alleged that on Saturday at around 02:30, the 30-year-old victim went to a local tavern in Vaalbank, when a white car emerged with four suspects inside. It is alleged that they pretended to be seeking directions to another tavern,” the statement reads.

Mohlala says the victim was asked to get into their vehicle so that he can properly navigate them to the said tavern.

However, according to the victim, the group took a different direction after he got into the vehicle.

“They further demanded cash as well as some of his valuables while severely assaulting the victim. It is also reported that they drove on a gravel road and stopped next to a certain bridge and that is when he was allegedly stripped naked,” Mohlala explains.

He adds that the victim says at this stage the female suspect discouraged her male accomplices who wanted to throw the victim into the water. The suspects and the naked victim then got into the vehicle again and drove off.

“Members from Middelburg’s Crime Prevention Unit were doing their routine patrol duties when they noticed the car. The members then approached the vehicle for investigation as they noted that one of the passengers was naked,” Mohlala says.

The officers found that the naked passenger was kidnapped and tortured. “They rescued the man and arrested the four suspects for kidnapping, robbery and assault.”

Police cannot rule out the possibility of adding other charges as the investigation unfolds.