- This topic is empty.
Viewing 1 post (of 1 total)
-
Posts
-
South African Police Service – Press Release – 2024/07/23
Office of the Provincial Commissioner Eastern Transvaal
NELSPRUIT – The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in the Eastern Transvaal, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, has applauded the swift actions of SAPS members that led to the arrest of five suspects, including two women and three men, aged between 23 and 41, for the alleged abduction of a 14-year-old girl in Kriel on Monday, 22 July 2024.
It is further alleged that shortly after the girl was kidnapped, these suspects made calls to the victim’s mother and threatened to kill the girl if police were notified.
The two police constables who were not on duty were summoned by the acting station commander of Kriel to help locate the suspects.
The members from service followed up on information and tracked 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.
The arrested suspects in Gauteng were three men and one woman (41), while the fifth suspect, a woman (30), was also arrested in Kriel this afternoon.
The suspects face charges related to kidnapping and extortion. 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.
“While the incident itself is disturbing, the swift and effective response shown by SAPS members deserves praise. Our members stand resolute in the commitment to protect the community and uphold the principles of justice and security. These members showed total commitment to their duties. , even when it is out of service and we acknowledge and appreciate the commendable efforts of all those involved to ensure the safe return of the child and bring its perpetrators to justice. We trust that this breakthrough will somehow help with some of the outstanding kidnapping Cases committed in and around Kriel Abduction cases are of great concern to us as Police, and we are doing our best to mitigate this challenge,” Major General (Dr) Mkhwanazi said.
Viewing 1 post (of 1 total)
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.