Seven In Court For Kidnapping Girl From Mpumalanga School

Seven suspects appeared in a Mpumalanga court on Thursday in connection with the kidnapping of a high school pupil in Kriel. The victim was kidnapped on the school premises on Monday. The Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Lucy Sekgotodi, provided details on the case.

Sekgotodi explained that on the day of the incident, four suspects, including a female and three males, visited the high school in Kriel.

Upon arrival, the female suspect entered the school while her accomplices stayed in the vehicle. She called a learner and asked her to fetch the victim under the pretence that her mother was ill.

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The victim, concerned for her mother, came running and was told by the suspects that they were sent to fetch her. She entered the vehicle, and they drove away, claiming the victim’s mother owed them money. The suspects subsequently demanded a ransom of R200,000 from the mother.

The complainant, a businesswoman, informed the suspects that she did not have the required amount but could provide R9,000. She was instructed to deposit the money into three different bank accounts. After the funds were deposited, the suspects withdrew the money.

Police investigations led to the arrest of four suspects in Vosloorus, east of Johannesburg, and the rescue of the victim. Further investigations resulted in the apprehension of three more suspects in Kriel, bringing the total number of arrests to seven.

The seven suspects appeared in the Kriel Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. Their case was subsequently postponed to Monday. The police continue to investigate the matter, ensuring justice for the victim and her family.