Alleged Kidnappers Arrested

ZAMDELA – Two suspects were arrested after they allegedly kidnapped a family in Amelia in the Zamdela area.

It is alleged by the victim (63) that on Monday, 14 October 2024 at about 23:00, he was sleeping with the rest of his family in the house and while he was sleeping he heard the main door being broken into.

When he was about to go and check, he came across four unknown males carrying firearms standing in his bedroom, demanding money.

The suspects took the victim and his wife (55), together with their three children, aged 38, 33 and 26, to the living room and took all of their cellphones. They demanded the banking app pin in order to send themselves some money. The suspects took a substantial amount of money from the accounts of the family.

The suspects tied the victims hands and covered their heads with pillowcases. The five family members were put into two separate vehicles, of which one belongs to the family. They were taken to a RDP house in Orange Farm, Gauteng.

On Tuesday, 15 October 2024 at about 10:00 the police received a complaint of child neglect, and on arrival, they established that there is a possible house robbery and kidnapping of the five family members.

The Fezile Dabi District Trio Task Team, Fezile Dabi District Highway Patrol “Relief C”, Sasolburg Crime Intelligence, Provincial OCI and Zamdela Detectives swiftly reacted and followed information, which led them to the vehicle of the family found abandoned at Drieziek, Orange Farm.

On the same day, at about 12:50, the family was dropped and left unharmed near Drieziek squatter camp. The members continued to the RDP house where the family was held hostage for the night and managed to apprehend two suspects.

Investigation still continues and more arrests are expected.

The two suspects, aged 26 and 58, will appear before the Sasolburg Magistrate Court soon on charges of house robbery and kidnapping.