MPUMALANGA – The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Major General Zodwa Mokoena has welcomed the sentencing of Sthembiso Amon Mchumu (36) for the attempted kidnapping of 13 year old girl in Aerorand, Middleburg two years ago.

Mchunu was found guilty in the Middelburg Regional Court on Monday, 17 February 2020 and sentenced to five years direct imprisonment for attempted kidnapping.

He was also sentenced to a further additional five years imprisonment which is wholly suspended for four years on condition that he is not found guilty of kidnapping or attempted kidnapping during the period of suspension.

He was further declared unfit to possess a firearm.

During his trial, the court heard how Mchunu attempted to kidnap the 13 year old girl by dragging her into a VW Polo.

The girl screamed and her cries caught the attention of a group of bricklayers who managed to rescue her.

The suspect fled the scene abandoning the vehicle.Β 

It was established that the vehicle was rented from Johannesburg.

The provincial Serious Organised Crime Investigation was immediately tasked to investigate the incident and later arrested Mchumu on 31 December 2018 in Ladysmith.