South Africa:

Photo: Social media

Moti Brothers kidnapping: Probe STILL underway, Parliament hears

It’s been over two weeks since the Moti brothers were reunited with their parents, but there’s no word on how investigations are going

South Africa:

Photo: Social media

Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale has told the National Assembly that their investigation into the kidnapping of the Moti brothers is still ongoing, despite them having been returned safe home with their parents.

Mathale appeared before Parliament on Wednesday, 24 November 2021.

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.

A News24 report claims that the Moti family paid a R50 million ransom for the children’s safe return. The public said this information was obtained from three sources with intimate knowledge of the case.

A source from the South African Police Service (SAPS) reportedly told the outlet that a dead drop was used to hand over the money.

A family spokesperson, Keshia Patchiappen, denied the ransom claims. “The Moti family would like to clarify that no ransom was paid. SAPS was integral to the safe return of our boys, and we are very grateful for their dedication in this regard.”

MATHALE: POLICE ‘WON’T STOP’ PROBING MOTI BROTHERS KIDNAPPING

Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale was asked by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Henry Shembeni about the progress pertaining to the Moti brothers’ abduction and also expressed concern over the current crime levels, in light of the release of the latest quarterly crime statistics.

In response to Shembeni, Mathale moved to assure the MP that the Moti brothers case was still very much on their radar as police and that they were doing all they can to counter crime in general.

“The South African Police Service (SAPS) has not given up their investigation and we have not failed in our fight against crime. The Investigations around the question that the member has raised… They’re ongoing and we definitely will not stop because the children have been returned home”

Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale