A nine-year-old boy kidnapped in Laudium, Pretoria, earlier this week was rescued last night after his kidnappers demanded a ransom.

Pretoria Rekord reports that according to local police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, their team worked tirelessly and made a breakthrough yesterday, locating the boy in Danville last night.

“The boy was forcefully taken from the house of the father’s friend in Laudium on Tuesday. His parents are from Afghanistan.

“The suspects called the parents demanding a ransom. A team comprising of South African Police Service and private security companies was established to rescue the boy and find the suspects.”

Police made the breakthrough when they found the vehicle used during the kidnapping and arrested two suspects.

“The suspects led the police to a house in Danville, Pretoria, where the kidnapped child was found and two more suspects were arrested. The suspects were found in possession of an unlicensed firearm, and it was discovered that they are in the country illegally.”

Masondo says further investigation led to the arrest of a fifth suspect, who is known to the family.

“The boy was taken to a medical care centre for observation and later reunited with his family.”

The five suspects, who are Pakistan and Afghanistan nationals aged between 24 and 37, were charged with kidnapping and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

They are expected to appear in the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on Monday.