Two kidnapped cousins found near Winterveldt
The two cousins who were kidnapped earlier this month have been safely reunited with their families after they were found in Winterveldt.
Police said the two cousins who were kidnapped earlier this month have been safely reunited with their families after they were found in Winterveldt.
Bataviya Mohammed (19) and a minor family member were kidnapped in a brazen, movie-style on the road near a primary school in Brits on 6 March.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the cousins were found on Monday evening, 25 March 2024, in a house at New Stands, Klipgat, near Winterveldt and Mabopane.
“A multi-disciplinary team comprising of Provincial Organised Crime, Head Office Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Bojanala Platinum Sub-District 2 Task Team and Brits Crime Intelligence for working tirelessly to locate the cousins.”
The cousins were examined by paramedics at Klipgat police station’s Victims Friendly Room (VFR) and found to be in a good state of health except for exhaustion and trauma.
“They were safely reunited with their families without any visible injuries.”
Mokgwabone said in the process of locating the victims, the determined team arrested six suspects.
“The seventh suspect, Humphrey Martin (48) was arrested in the early hours of Friday morning, 08 March 2024, at Naturena, in Johannesburg. ”
She added that Martin had already appeared in the Brits Magistrates’ Court on 11, 18, and 25 March 2024.
“He remains in custody and is expected to appear again on Monday, 08 April 2024, for formal bail application.”
On 6 March, the kidnappers bumped the victims’ car from the front with a maroon Audi A3 to force it to stop.
She said it is further alleged that two armed men got out of a white Volkswagen Polo GTI and ordered the cousins to get into it (the Polo).
“The driver of the Audi got into a Toyota Hilux allegedly driven by Humphrey Martin. The suspects then fled from the crime scene with the victims. The latter’s Mercedes Benz vehicle and the Audi A3 were found at the crime scene.”
A preliminary investigation revealed that the Audi A3 was reportedly stolen in Garsfontein in March of this year.
The kidnappers are expected to appear before the Brits Magistrates’ Court soon, facing two counts of kidnapping and extortion.
Lieutenant General Sello Kwena expressed his gratitude to the multi-disciplinary team for their relentless efforts, which led to the finding of the victims and the arrest of the suspects.
He indicated that the arrests will undoubtedly sound a warning that those who commit crimes have no place to hide in society and will be exposed, as happened in this case.
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*Please note the article has been amended
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