Cape Town – South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members arrested seven suspects, including a former police officer and a woman after they were found with a 37-year-old victim believed to have been kidnapped.
This was after the SANDF members spotted two suspicious vehicles with a large number of occupants just outside Komatipoort, police said in a statement.
The suspects and the victim were travelling in a navy blue BMW as well as a powder blue Mini Cooper along one of the main roads in KaMaqhekeza, Nelspruit when they were pulled over by the SANDF members.
“When the vehicles were stopped for investigation, eight occupants were in the vehicles. It is said that the victim got a chance to report to SANDF members that he was forcefully taken from his residence and assaulted. It is further alleged that he (the victim) was abducted,” said police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala.
He said the army members then took the victim and the suspects and handed them over to the police in Tonga.
The suspects between the ages of 22 and 43 were charged with kidnapping and assault of the victim.
They were expected to appear at the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 19 December, said Mohlala.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela applauded members of the SANDF for their vigilance and outstanding work which saved the victim’s life.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
