Kidnapped PMB teen home safe and sound

Hawks officials in KZN say the 17-year-old boy's abductors are believed to have posed as police personnel in Raisethorpe and took him at gunpoint from Brixham Road a week ago.

 

"We can confirm that a 17-year-old was kidnapped last week and a case was opened at Mountain Rise,” says the crime-fighting unit's Simphiwe Mhlongo says.

 

He says a ransom demand of more than R11 million was made for the teen's safe return.

 

The Hawks managed to trace the victim on Sunday to where was being kept in a house in Umzinto, on the south coast.

 READ: NFP: Specialised policing needed at Glebelands Hostel

"Hawks members working together with other law enforcement agencies including private security managed to make a breakthrough where he was found and rescued. At this stage, seven suspects have been taken in. Some were discharged and members are still busy with the operation,” says Mhlongo.

 

Mhlongo says two suspects arrested at Brookside Mall on Thursday were found in a vehicle believed to have been used during the abduction.

 

The Pietermaritzburg Magistrate's Court on Monday ordered a pair to remain in custody until next week's expected bail application.