The kidnapping of Marcel: Allegations, facts and pure nonsense

During the search effort, many different reports reached members of the community. Allegations and criticism flew thick and fast, while officials at the helm of the search struggled to keep residents informed.

The facts: – Marcel was last seen leaving his parent’s home with the suspect, Johan de Beer at approximately 3pm on Sunday afternoon.

– The reason why the suspect took the bakkie was to go and dump refuse, with Marcel accompanying him to show the way.

– Marcel and the suspect were positively identified at Keyway Motors between 4.45pm and 5pm on Sunday afternoon on surveillance footage, where the suspect sold a airgun for R100 to obtain money for diesel.

– The pair was later identified at a residence in Elandslaagte at approximately 8pm, again on Sunday night.

– The suspect swopped the NN number plates with an NKR number plate allegedly ‘found in a bin’ in Bethlehem.

– The next positive identification was made in Bloemfontein at 5pm on Monday afternoon.

– The suspect arrived at his father’s house in Roodepoort at roughly 6pm on Tuesday afternoon. He fled following an altercation with his family after they had shown him the mass hysteria created on Facebook.

– Roodepoort police are currently searching for the suspect.

– The suspect is not connected with the Blandin de Chalain family in any way.

– The suspect picked up numerous hikers and sold stolen items to get money for diesel. He also smoked dagga while driving.

– Marcel was never hurt by the suspect at any time.

– Marcel was reunited with his family at 6am on Wednesday morning, by Captain Claassen, W/O Mtshali and a journalist from the Newcastle Advertiser, who worked around the clock, pooling resources.

The allegations: – It was alleged by members of the community that Marcel could have escaped at any time. According to the boy, the suspect kept promising him a return to Newcastle as soon as the next hiker was dropped off.

– Community members accused Marcel’s mother of being negligent by allowing her son to leave with a man she barely knew.

– It was alleged by the family that Johan de Beer had been sent by a person with a personal vendetta against the father, Ricardo, to take Marcel away from them.

– Allegedly, Marcel had threatened his father he would run away if his father did not agree to place him in a hostel.

– Further allegations placed Marcel as the mastermind behind the incident in an attempt to run away from home.

This was denied by the child himself, in private, in front of his parents and Captain Claassen.

The nonsense bar would stretch not only this page, but also the length of the imagination.

At one stage it was alleged Marcel was being taken to Nigeria, and the Newcastle Advertiser was not reporting fact.

Simply put, the Newcastle Advertiser reported on incidents as they took place, making some previous articles null and void. Residents were quick to point out the folly in this, blaming poor police work for not getting results. The facts show, the police went over and beyond the call of duty to bring Marcel back safely, which they were luckily able to do, in less than 54 hours.

Captain Flip Claassen was commended for the fantastic police work that brought the missing persons case to a speedy close.

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Exclusive: 12-year-old kidnap victim speaks out

BREAKING NEWS: Marcel returned safe and sound

UPDATE: Missing child – Surveillance footage gathered as evidence

UPDATE: Missing child – Bloemfontein sighting confirmed

UPDATE: Missing child – Pair allegedly spotted in Bloemfontein

UDPATE: Missing Child – Desperate mother searches Bethlehem

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UPDATE: Missing child – Police confirm no vehicle found

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