Tebogo Msimanga |
A 19-year-old woman who was reportedly kidnapped by an armed man at her home in Kwamhlanga in the early hours of Tuesday, 15 March 2022 has been found alive. The police received the whereabouts of the 31-year-old suspect at Enkangala and was detained pending further investigation in relation to the kidnapping incident.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said according to the report, on the said day at about 03h00 am, five young ladies were travelling home in their car, from a certain function. “As they arrived home and were about to get inside the yard, they were allegedly pounced by an armed man, alighting from a Silver Grey Toyota Legend 50 which was without registration number plates”.
Mohlala said it is alleged that the said lady earlier called her mother whilst they were still on their way home, indicating to her that they were being followed by a strange bakkie.
“The mother who received a call reportedly went out of her house upon their arrival, only to meet the ladies at the gate being held at gunpoint by the suspect who accused them of stealing some items from his liquor outlet”.
The mother decided to return to the house, to fetch a torch so that she could help search for the things that the man was looking for in their car as it was too dark. “When she returned from the house, she was flabbergasted when she saw the bakkie driving away with her daughter whilst the other four ladies remained in shock”. It then dawned that the man orchestrated to kidnap the lady but then came up with stories just to cover up his evil acts.
Mohlala further said the police worked around the clock to ensure that the kidnapped lady is returned home safely to her family. She was found at a certain fuel station at Menlyn in Pretoria in the early hours of Wednesday 16 March 2022. “She then related her ordeal to the police”.
A case of kidnapping with additional charges of rape and assault was opened. Police investigations are continuing.
