Kriel – The seven suspects accused of kidnapping a schoolgirl from her school before demanding a massive ransom from her mother have all been denied bail by the Kriel Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga.
All the accused appeared in court Wednesday (21 August 24).
The case against the accused – 21-year-old Sibongokuhle Nelisiwe Mkhwanazi, 42-year-old Nkosingiphile Emelda Nkosi, 42-year-old Mpumelelo Patricia Mkhize, 23-year-old Caleb Kamahelo Sebatane, 35-year-old Thabang Elim Mndebele, 41-year-old Dineo Masesi Zondo and 33-year-old Dumisane Zondo was postponed to 12 October 2024, to allow for further investigations.
The accused allegedly made their way to Kriel High School last month, where they lured a schoolgirl to ride in their car on the pretext they were taking her to her mom whom they said had become ill.
Instead, the accused allegedly kidnapped the child and demanded a ransom of R200 000 from the learner’s mom – who is a business owner.
However, the mom said she only had R9 000, which she deposited in a bank account supplied by the alleged kidnappers. The accused were arrested soon after.
RELATED: Kidnapped Kriel Schoolgirl: 7 Accused Remanded In Custody, Matter Adjourned – The Bulrushes
Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Sekgotodi said:” The accused were remanded in custody.
“The seven kidnappers were denied bail and the case was postponed for further investigation.”
