Kriel – Four women and three men arrested for allegedly kidnapping a Mpumalanga schoolgirl and demanding a ransom of R200 000 from her businesswoman mother remain locked up in jail.
The accused Sibongokuhle Nelisiwe Mkhwanazi, Caleb Kamahelo Sebatane, Thabang Elim Mndebele, Nkosingiphile Emelda Nkosi, Dineo Masesi Zondo, Mpumelelo Patricia Mkhize, and Dumisane Zondo appeared in the Kriel Magistrate’s Court on Friday, (2 August 2024), where they were denied bail.
Narrating events leading to their arrests, Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Sekgotodi said the accused allegedly went to the schoolgirl’s school in Kriel last week.
They allegedly persuaded the schoolgirl to leave the school with them.
“On arrival at school, the female suspect entered the school while her accomplices remained in the vehicle,” said Captain Sekgotodi.
The woman asked a learner at the school to tell the victim that her mother was ill and a car had been sent to pick her up.
“The victim came running, and the accused told her they were sent to fetch her,” said Captain Sekgotodi.
“The victim entered the vehicle, and they drove away.”
Captain Sekgotodi said the accused demanded a ransom of R200 000 from the girl’s mother.
“The complainant, who is a businesswoman, told them that she did not have the demanded ransom but only had R9 000,” said Captain Sekgotodi, adding that she was given three bank accounts to deposit the money.
The businesswoman, who had alerted the police of the kidnapping, paid the money as instructed.
Captain Sekgotodi said the seven accused were later arrested in Kriel and Vosloorus, Gauteng.
She said the ransom was recovered from the accused and the kidnapped schoolgirl was rescued unharmed.
All the accused will be back in court on 14 August 2024 for a formal bail application.
