By Betha Madhomu
Cape Town – A 14-year-old girl kidnapped in Kriel, Mpumalanga, on Monday has been rescued by police.
The suspects had threatened to kill her if the police got involved, police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli said.
“It is alleged that soon after the girl was kidnapped, these suspects made calls to the victim’s mother, threatening to kill the girl if police were alerted.
“The two off-duty police constables were called upon by the Acting Station Commander of Kriel to assist in tracing the suspects.
#sapsMP Acting PC, Maj Gen Zeph Mkhwanazi, has applauded the swift action of #SAPS members that led to the arrest of 5 suspects, including two women and three men, aged between 23 and 41, for the alleged #kidnapping of a 14yr-old girl in Kriel on Monday, 22/07. Victim rescued… pic.twitter.com/werSfoA8bB
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) July 24, 2024
“The off-duty members followed up on information and traced the suspects until they cornered four of them in Vereeniging, in the Gauteng Province, this afternoon (Tuesday, 23 July 2024). The girl was also found unharmed,” Mdhluli said.
Four suspects – three men and one woman were arrested.
A fifth suspect was arrested in Kriel.
“The suspects are facing charges relating to kidnapping and extortion. The police cannot rule out the possibility that these suspects may have been involved in other kidnapping-related incidents, and the investigation will also focus on previously reported cases of kidnapping, with the potential to add more charges as the investigation continues,” said Mdhluli.
Police suspect the group may be linked to other kidnappings.
The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
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