Brothers Zia (15), Alaan (13), Zayyad (11) and Zidan (6) were snatched by seven unknown suspects in Polokwane while on their way to school last week Wednesday.

It's understood the car they were being driven in was cut off by two others along the Tzaneen bypass before the brothers were bundled into one of the vehicles.

Their driver was left at the scene.

It's been close to a week since their disappearance and a frantic search for the boys has yielded little results.

Cele told the media at a briefing on Monday that police were following up on leads.

"The police management from the national commissioner and those people that deal with that matter have created a team that is working there. It's a multi-approach team - police are working with Social Development, Health and even community structures," said Cele.

The motive for the kidnapping remains unclear.

"We are having progress, it's a difficult case there's no doubt about it but we are having progress. There have been follow ups on these matters and maybe it will end here, and they take that detour to follow that.

"Up to this point, with the latest reports and all that, we are hopeful that police will crack this case.

"It's definitely a 24/7 kind of operation for police and all other structures," Cele added.

While the family was confident last week that kidnappers would make contact for a ransom demand, it remains unclear if there's been any word from the suspects.

Listen to Cele below: