
4 kidnapped children rescued, man arrested in the north of Pretoria
4 kidnapped children rescued, man arrested in the north of Pretoria
A late-night operation in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, resulted in the rescue of four kidnapped victims and the arrest of a suspect linked to the ordeal.
Pretoria Rekord reports that he operation was carried out in the early hours on Monday, after multiple law enforcement and private security companies joined forces.
The victims, two girls and two boys, were kidnapped in Soshanguve Block W.
Police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk says their captors sent disturbing videos to their families, showing the victims being assaulted while naked and demanding R50 000 for their release.
Van Dyk says, fearing for their children's lives, the distraught parents opened a case of kidnapping at Rietgat SAPS.
Acting on intelligence, a multi-agency task team comprising Rietgat SAPS detectives, the Crime Prevention Unit, Gauteng traffic wardens, Tshenolo PI, Zondi Crime Bursters, Jimbos Security and CMC Security, launched a co-ordinated rescue operation.
At around 01:30, the team located the victims in Soshanguve Block NN, and a man was arrested at the scene.
'The victims were able to positively identify the suspect as one of the individuals who had held them captive.
'He now faces charges of kidnapping, with further charges likely as the investigation progresses,' says Van Dyk.
He says the victims were reunited with their families, and an officer was injured during the high-risk rescue.
The suspect is due to appear in court soon.
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