Picture: The initiates who were allegedly kidnapped in Mahikeng/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A kidnapping case against two men was postponed by the Molopo Magistrate’s Court in Mahikeng to 12 September 2023. Piet Tlotleng and Keotshepile Ntate were granted R1500 bail each. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said Ntate and Tlotleng were charged for Contravening the Customs Initiation Act, No. 2 of 2021. Mamothame further said, the police reports revealed that, the accused were arrested on 29 June 2023, after parents reported missing children at Mahikeng Police Station.
“The investigations led the police to an illegal initiation school between Ramatlabama and Tsetse villages, outside Mahikeng. The preliminary investigations suggest that, the Tlotleng and Ntate mobilised unsuspecting young boys from villages around Mahikeng, to join the initiation school.
“Moreover, after recruiting these young boys, they would allegedly call the parents and demand money for the safety of the victims. Consequently, about 41 initiates between the ages of 15 and 20 were rescued. The illegal school was closed while the boys were taken to a local hospital for medical care,” he said.
Tlotleng is also linked to a kidnapping case in a separate case involving Bongani Moatlhodi (24). Moatlhodi briefly appeared at the Lehurutshe Magistrates’ Court on 10 July 2023 for allegedly kidnapping of boy (16), who was taken to an illegal initiation school at Lonely Park, near Mahikeng.
The case was postponed to 17 July 2023 for formal bail application. Tlotleng was officially charged with kidnapping before paying his R1500 bail at the Molopo Magistrate’s Court, effectively keeping him in custody. He will appear again at Lehurutshe Magistrate’s Court on 17 July 2023 along with his co-accused, Moatlhodi for a formal bail application.
TaungDailyNews 