Cape Town – Five individuals have been apprehended for kidnapping, house robbery, extortion, and illegal firearm possession following a harrowing home invasion in Stilfontein, North West.
The arrests occurred after four men forcefully entered a residence in Khuma Extension 6 on Thursday evening, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, the police spokesperson for the North West province said.
“The suspects allegedly threatened the mother, then robbed her of R6 500 cash, and took her 19-year-old son’s cellphone,” said Mokgwabone.
The men then used the family’s Toyota Corolla as their means of escape. While doing so, they forcibly took the 19-year-old along with them.
Following the report of the crime to the police, a multi-disciplinary team devised a strategy to apprehend the suspects.
“The suspects used the son’s cell phone to call the family demanding ransom. With the involvement of hostage negotiators, a drop-off point was agreed upon after the suspects reduced the ransom amount. The team tactically kept an observation until a male was spotted walking from a panel beating workshop, then taking the money and running back,” Mokgwabone said.
Two suspects were arrested during a ransom drop-off, while two others were apprehended after a chase, resulting in one suspect being wounded.
The kidnapped victim was found unharmed, and further arrests were made, leading to the seizure of illegal firearms.
The suspects, including three Mozambicans and two South Africans, are set to appear in court soon.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
