Seven kidnapping suspects accused of kidnapping a 14-year-old girl from her high school in Kriel, Mpumalanga, appeared in the Kriel Magistrate’s Court in Friday where they were remanded in custody for formal bail application.
The seven suspects—four women and three men aged between 21 and 42—were arrested in various locations on July 24, following the kidnapping of a 14-year-old girl on July 22.
Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, said the teen’s mother was contacted by three of the suspects who threatened to kill her if police were involved.
“Two off-duty police constables were called upon by the acting station commander of Kriel, to assist in tracing the suspects. The off-duty members followed up on information and traced the suspects until they had cornered four of them in Vereeniging, in Gauteng on Tuesday, July 23. The girl was also found unharmed,” Mdhuli said.
There is a possibility the suspects may be linked to other kidnapping incidents.
“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. The suspects are expected to appear in court soon,” Mdhuli said.
Their case postponed to 14 August 2024 for a formal bail application.
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