A 19-year-old woman who was reportedly raped by an armed man after she was kidnapped from her home in KwaMhlanga in Mpumalanga is safely reunited with her mother.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the girl was reportedly kidnapped in the early hours of Tuesday.

She was found at a fuel station in Menlyn in Pretoria on Wednesday.

“Police received information pertaining to the whereabouts of the 31-year-old suspect which led them to Enkangala where he was arrested and detained pending further investigation in relation to the kidnapping incident.”

Mohlala said according to the report, on Tuesday at about 03:00, five females were travelling home in their car. They were coming from a function, when they realised they were followed by a Silver Grey Toyota Legend 50.

“It is further alleged that the 19-year-old earlier called her mother while they were on their way home, indicating to her that they were being followed by a strange bakkie and at some stage the driver of the bakkie (who is also a suspect) reportedly flashed his lights but they ignored him.”

He said the women thought he stopped following them, however, they were not that lucky.

“As they arrived home and were about to get inside the yard, they were allegedly accosted by an armed man, alighting from a Silver Grey Toyota Legend 50 that had no registration plates.”

Mohlala said the mother, who had received a call from the daughter, reportedly went out of her house only to meet the ladies at the gate being held at gunpoint.

Mohlala said the man reportedly accused them of stealing some items from his liquor outlet.

“The mother decided to return to the house to fetch a torch so she could help search for the things the man was looking for in their car.

“When she returned, she was flabbergasted when she saw the bakkie driving away with her daughter.”

He said it later dawned on those witnessing the crime that the man had allegedly orchestrated to kidnap the 19-year-old.

There were attempts by some members of the public to give chase, but all their efforts seemed futile.

Mohlala said this led to the matter being reported to police at KwaMhlanga.

He said an investigation team was put in place whereby resources were assembled in order to follow the tracks of the suspect before it was “too late”.

Police worked around the clock to ensure that the kidnapped woman was returned home safely to her family as well as to make sure that the suspect was brought to book.

“The girl was dropped off and found at a fuel station in Menlyn in Pretoria in the early hours of Wednesday.”

He said the woman then related her ordeal to the police of how she was reportedly blindfolded and repeatedly raped by the suspect.

“A case of kidnapping with additional charges of rape and assault was opened,” said Mohlala.

He said police were still continuing with their investigation.

The Provincial Commissioner of the police in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela felt proud about the outstanding work by KwaMhlanga officers and welcomed the safe return of the kidnapped girl, as she was found alive.

“These are the type of members that we need to win the war against crime. We really appreciate the efforts that they have put in ensuring the safe return of the young lady. We are also glad that the suspect was arrested as well. We hope that the law will take its course,” said Manamela.