Three children, aged 6, 9 and 11 years old, who were kidnapped on Monday have been rescued following a joint operation by the Newcastle K9 unit and the South African Police Services (SAPS), police said in a statement.
The rescue operation was led by the Newcastle FCS Commander Captain Nagesh Moothilal, Newcastle K9 Unit and Madadeni SAPS members on Tuesday morning.
"The team proceeded to a house at Inverness place in Osizweni where three children were kept hostage by the suspects. A total of five suspects aged between 20 and 70 were arrested," Colonel Thembeka Mbhele said.
"They were also found in possession of an unlicensed pistol. The hijacked vehicle was recovered at Osizweni, C section."
Mbhele said at around 06:45 am on Monday, the complainant was driving his uncle’s vehicle in Madadeni, Section 7 when unknown men waved at him and indicated that something was wrong with their vehicle's tyre.
"The complainant was traveling with six children in the vehicle. When the driver pulled over at Qaphelani school to inspect the tyres of the vehicle, he was confronted by the suspects who threatened him with firearms."
"The driver was pulled out of the vehicle and the suspects fled in complainant’s vehicle with three children still inside."
Mbhele said it was believed that one of the suspects who orchestrated the carjacking and kidnapping was a relative of the victims whilst another was a close family friend.
"The suspects demanded a ransom from the family for the safe release of the children."
The suspects are expected to appear in the Madadeni Magistrate's Court on Wednesday on charges of carjacking, kidnapping, and possession of an unlicensed firearm. An additional charge of human trafficking will also be added.
- African News Agency (ANA)
