woman Limpopo

A 47-year-old woman’s body was found in her house after she was allegedly kidnapped. Photo: File.

Graskop: Two teenage boys kidnapped, three suspects arrested

Mpumalanga police say the two boys, aged 15, had injuries to their bodies and appeared to be in an altered state when they were found

woman Limpopo

A 47-year-old woman’s body was found in her house after she was allegedly kidnapped. Photo: File.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga has arrested three suspects in connection with the kidnapping of two 15-year-old boys in Graskop on Friday, 17 June 2022. SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the teens were locked up inside a house in the area.

“Subsequent to the information reaching the community in the area, a group converged to go to a house where the two kids were suspected to have been kept. Nonetheless, police in the area were not officially informed about the disappearance of the children. It is said that the group of people proceeded to the residence of a lady, thereby inquiring on the whereabouts of the kids upon arrival. However the woman reportedly informed them that the children were not available at the time but were rather in Marite near BushbuckRidge,” Mohlala added.

The community members lost their patience and forced their way into a hut where they found the two boys, who appeared to be in an altered state.

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MPUMALANGA: ALLEGED KIDNAPPER ASSAULTED

According to Mpumalanga police, the community members are said to have assaulted the woman they had found at the residence. They fled to the scene after being alerted about the incident unfolding. The kidnapped boys had also sustained some injuries to their bodies.

The 49-year-old woman, a 17-year-old boy and 24-year-old man were subsequently arrested on kidnapping charges. The woman was taken to hospital for treatment under police guard whilst the other two males were detained.

“The 24-year old man, Japhet Sekatane has already appeared in the Graskop Magistrate’s Court facing the said charges where he was remanded in custody and his matter was postponed to 12 July 2022 for further investigation,” Mohlala added.

Meanwhile police are working in collaboration with probation officers as the other arrested suspect is a minor who is also expected to also appear in court soon.