Four friends who were allegedly kidnapped by a group of men posing as police officers have been safely reunited with their families.
The incident occurred while Ziyaad and Jameel Salley, Yusuf Saber, and Ahmed Dhorat were travelling between Standerton and Trichart in Mpumalanga. The fake cops, driving a white VW Polo equipped with blue lights, pulled them over on Monday.
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According to Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the national police spokesperson, the four men were taken captive, and the suspects proceeded to withdraw large sums of money from their bank accounts.
The matter was promptly reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS), who activated their anti-kidnapping task team. Within 48 hours, the team successfully traced the friends to a house in Vosloorus, Gauteng.
Speaking to Ridge Times, Jakes Saber, the father of one of the friends, expressed relief that the boys were in good spirits.
The four were on their way to Standerton to play padel tennis when they were stopped by the fake officers. Saber also revealed that significant amounts of money had been withdrawn from their bank accounts during the ordeal.
Brigadier Mathe confirmed that a manhunt for the suspects is currently underway. The incident serves as a reminder to remain vigilant and cautious when approached by individuals claiming to be law enforcement officers.
It is essential to verify their credentials and, if necessary, request assistance from nearby police stations or contact emergency services.
