Moti kidnapping: SAPS BARRED from interviewing boys, family leaves SA

There has been a stunning development pertaining to the investigation into the kidnapping of the Moti brothers – it has learnt that the family left South Africa and now lives abroad. According to eNCA, the family travelled to Dubai, but it isn’t clear where they ended up settling.

The boys – Zidan, Zayyad, Alaan, and Zia Moti – all aged between 6 -15, were kidnapped on their way to school in Polokwane at approximately 07:00 on Wednesday, 20 October 2021. Seven men with R5 rifles and handguns cornered their vehicle and forcefully removed them. They were released just weeks later and dropped off next to a road in Vuwani by their kidnappers.

The brothers’ kidnapping sent shockwaves and prompted an outpour of support for the family from ordinary South Africans to even prominent figures and government. The Moti boys’ abduction, however, became clouded in mystery after it was learnt that the family had reportedly paid R50 million to the kidnappers, according to News24.

ALSO READ: Moti Brothers kidnapping: Probe STILL underway, Parliament hears

POLICE PROHIBITED FROM TALKING TO MOTI BROTHERS

In addition, it was also learnt that Nazim Moti, the father of the brothers, had interdicted the South African Police Service (SAPS) from interviewing the boys about their kidnapping. Police have confirmed this, but it isn’t clear exactly at which point of the investigation that this actually happened. According to eNCA reporter Barry Bateman, however, it may have been when the Moti brothers had undergone a medical examination, fresh from their release.

“When the boys were recovered, as the police had to take them to an institution where they will be examined whether they were mentally and physically healthy. And all of a sudden we were interdicted by the father that we cannot go anywhere close to the children, we cannot interview them nor any member of the family,” said SAPS spokesperson Robert Netshiunda on eNCA.

Despite the development in the case, Police Minister Bheki Cele says the investigation continues.

“We regard it as non-cooperation at the moment, rather than obstruction of justice. Perhaps the time will come where we will draw the line and say this is just non-cooperation. But they are hindering the working of justice. When the time comes, we might change our tactic but I have been briefed”

Police Minister Bheki Cele