Byline: Andani Matumba
22 March 2022
A young lady (19) who was kidnapped was found alive after she was reportedly kidnapped by an armed man (31) at her home in Kwamhlanga in the early hours of Tuesday, 15 March 2022.
According to police report, on the said day at about 03h00 am, five young ladies were traveling home in their vehicle from a function and when they arrived home, about to get inside the yard, they were allegedly jumped by an armed man who was traveling in a Silver Grey Toyota Legend 50 which was without a registration number plate.
It is said that the lady who was kidnapped called her mother earlier whilst they were still traveling home and told her that they were being tailed by a strange bakkie for a while and who had also flicked lights on them and they ignored him.
“They later thought that he had stopped trailing them however, as they arrived home, the ladies were shocked when the man strangely went out of his vehicle with a firearm in his hand.
The mother who received a call 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,” said Brigadier Selvy Mohlala.
He further stated that 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 the ladies vehicle as it was too dark.
“When she returned from the house, she was surprised when she saw the bakkie driving away with her daughter whilst the other four ladies remained in shock,” added Mohlala .
There were attempts by some members of the public to give chase but all their efforts remained futile and the matter was reported to the police where a case of kidnapping was later opened.
According to Mohlala, an investigation team was put in place whereby resources were assembled in order to follow the tracks of the suspect before it was too late and the lady was found blindfolded and repeatedly raped by the suspect.
Brigadier further added that the lady was found at a fuel station at Menlyn in Pretoria in the early hours of Wednesday morning, 16 March 2022, after she was dumped by the suspect.
“Police ensured that the kidnapped lady was returned home safely to her family.
The lady narrated the scene of events to the police and a case of kidnapping, rape and assault were opened,” said Mohlala in closing.
The suspect was traced by the police after they received a tipoff and he has been detained at Enkangala pending further investigation.
Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela says that she is proud of the outstanding work by members at Kwamhlanga.
“This is the type of members that we need in order to win the war against crime.
We really appreciate the efforts that they have put in ensuring the safe return of the young lady.
We are also glad that the suspect was arrested as well. We hope that the law will take its course.” said the General.
