7 to appear in Mpumalanga court over kidnapping of a minor

CAPE TOWN – Seven suspected kidnappers are expected to appear at the Kriel Magistrates Court in Mpumalanga on Friday.

The group allegedly snatched a child outside their school in late July to extort money from the victim’s parents. 

Officers said the accused called the victim’s mother, who is a businesswoman, demanding R200,000 ransom for the minor’s release.

The victim’s mother told the suspects she only had R9,000 and was given three bank accounts to deposit the money via cash send.

Hawks spokesperson Dineo Sekgothodi explained what happened next: “After the money was deposited, the suspects withdrew the funds. An investigation led the team to Vosloorus and Kriel whereby the accused were arrested respectively.”