It is alleged that on 25 March 2022, a 17-year-old girl went missing at Ndindindi in Nquthu.
Lt. Col. Nqobile Gwala, police spokesperson says a missing person docket was opened at Nquthu SAPS for investigation. The docket was later changed to kidnapping after an unknown suspect demanded R8 000 from the family.
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The docket was assigned to the Dundee Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for investigation. The investigation revealed that the kidnapped victim was at U Section in Umlazi.
Police pounced on an informal dwelling in a bushy area at Umlazi, searching for the victim. The victim fled into a nearby house upon seeing the police officers. She was chased and was found under the influence of liquor.
She was taken along with her 15-year-old accomplice for questioning. It was established that the victim left her home and visited a friend whom she alleged that she met on social media.
It is assumed that she was having a good time with her new friend and they staged a kidnapping.
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During the investigation, it was established that videos were taken of her to create the impression that she was being held captive. The videos were forwarded to her family and a ransom was demanded.
They were charged with extortion, conspiracy to commit an offence as well as defeating the ends of justice. Both suspects appeared at the Nquthu Magistrate’s Court on 8 April 2022 however, the case was not enrolled.
The docket will now be transferred to Umlazi SAPS for further investigation. The suspects were released into their parents’ custody pending further investigation.
