By BAKANG MOKOTO
Four men who were arrested for kidnapping, extortion and business robbery remanded in custody until 27 May 2024, for bail application. On Monday afternoon (20 May 2024), six suspects allegedly overpowered a man and woman at a tavern in Freedom Park, Phase 1 in Phokeng, near Rustenburg and threatened them with firearms.
They allegedly tied them up with cable ties, stole cash and cellular phones, then left the scene. It was allegedly realised a few minutes after the robbery that a boy (8), who was watching television in the tavern was missing.
The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said it was established that the suspects kidnapped the boy when they began to demand a ransom for his release. Myburgh said a multi-disciplinary team consisting of the Tactical Response Team (TRT) from Bojanala Sub-District 2, Crime Intelligence, Cyber Crime, Phokeng Detectives, the West Rand Visible Policing and Rural Safety Units and PVT Security Company jumped into action to rescue the kidnapped boy.
“The initial investigations by the multi-disciplinary team determined that the boy was in transit in a vehicle to Soweto. With the assistance of the West Rand Police, supported by PVT Security Company, a high-speed car chase ensued in Krugersdorp, leading to a white Volkswagen Polo that was stopped and searched.
“The police found the kidnapped boy unharmed inside the vehicle, as well as the robbed cellular phones. Consequently, three suspects were arrested on the scene. Further police investigation led to the arrest of the fourth suspect two hours later in Freedom Park, Phokeng,” she said.
Myburgh further said Prince Komanisi (31), Ishmael James Saka (27), Prosperous Mthunzi Skhosana (42) and Thabang Jalvane (33), briefly appeared before the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court in Tlhabane on 22 May 2024.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, thanked the police and other role players involved for working diligently to ensure that the alleged perpetrators are brought to book.
TaungDailyNews 