More than a month after a resident from Shandon, Mbombela, was kidnapped, a breakthrough in the case led to the arrest of two men, aged 42 and 37, in Gauteng yesterday (May 26).

Lowvelder reports that a joint operation by CPS Security, SAPS, the Hawks, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department’s Swat team and community liaison unit, the Mpumalanga Anti-Hijacking Unit and Crime Intelligence followed up on information regarding the suspects’ whereabouts, leading to the arrests.

According to CPS Security, the first suspect was apprehended in the Brackendowns area. Further intelligence then led to a second suspect being traced and arrested in the Pretoria area after information was circulated to Pretoria Central SAPS.

Two vehicles, a VW Golf and VW Polo, allegedly used in the kidnapping, were seized, along with one licensed firearm.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that the suspects are linked to the Mbombela kidnapping case.

Court appearance

They are expected to appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court today (May 27) to face charges of kidnapping and attempted murder.

Details of the abduction

The abduction, according to reports, unfolded when the man’s vehicle was forced to stop after a collision on Von Braun Street.

Armed suspects then abducted him, leaving his daughter unharmed but deeply affected by the ordeal.

While the victim’s identity is known to Lowvelder, the publication has chosen not to publish it. This decision is rooted in both law and ethics.

The South African Press Code makes it clear that children who are victims, witnesses or suspects in crimes must not be identified, directly or indirectly. In this case, naming the father would inevitably expose his daughter, a minor who is a victim of crime. Protecting her dignity, privacy and safety must outweigh public curiosity.

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