Johannesburg – A man accused of assaulting and keeping his wife and five children captive in his Springs home appeared in the Springs Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, Gauteng police said.
The man, 36, was kept in custody and the matter was postponed to 4 June, police investigator Rudi Jansen said.

He said he was not in a position to give any further information related to the case.

Johan du Preez, the regional control prosecutor, said the man’s next appearance would be for a bail application.

Police spokesperson Lungelo Dlamini said: “The name of the man cannot be revealed for the sake of the children.”

News agency AFP reported that the court ordered the man not be named to protect the children.

Earlier on Wednesday, spokesperson Johannes Ramphora said the man was arrested on Thursday last week after his 11-year-old son apparently fled the house in Springs and went to a neighbour’s house next door.

“Five children were found in the house, between the ages of 2 and 16. Police were contacted by the man’s neighbours,” said Ramphora.

“He is being charged with assault and kidnapping. His wife was in the house when he was arrested but she is one of the alleged victims.”

It appeared the children had been kept in unfit conditions and were abused.

Police were investigating.

SAPA