A man who allegedly wormed his way into the lives of a Newcastle family in the last week is still on the run in the Ladysmith area after kidnapping their son.

Johan de Beer was found by the De Chalain family sleeping on the grass outside their house. They initially, according to Newcastle police detective Captain Classens, wanted to phone the police. They, however, changed their mind and felt sorry for the man.

They invited him to stay in an outbuilding and he helped them by doing gardening.

On Sunday afternoon, he loaded the rubbish and was meant to wake the father, who had gone to lie down because he had a sore back. De Beer snuck into the father’s room, took the vehicle keys and then enticed Marcel to join him on the trip to the dump yard. (Story altered see comment below)

He left in the family’s white Ford Ranger bakkie (NN 44495) taking Marcel with him…

It was 3pm on Sunday when De Beer drove out the yard.

For the family, a nightmare was about to begin…

Read full story here and updates on the Newcastle Advertiser site here.

Police in Ladysmith have joined the manhunt after De Beer was spotted in the Ford Ranger in the Elandslaagte area.

He was apparently begging for fuel. A second person was in the vehicle with him, but that person has not been positively identified.

Elandslaagte police and K9 Unit officers have been searching the area along with Newcastle police.

Police released a recent image of De Beer, who is wanted for questioning in the alleged kidnapping.

Story update HERE