The kidnapped victim is currently in hospital.
Image: IOL
Six suspects are expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court soon after police managed to rescue a kidnapping victim on Sunday, May 31.
According to the Free State police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane, the swift response and tactical alertness by members of the SAPS’ Parkweg Client Service Centre and the Bloemfontein Flying Squad during Operation Shanela 2 led to the rescue of the 35-year-old victim and the arrest of the suspects.
“At approximately 2am, Parkweg police members were conducting routine patrols in the Lourier Park area when they noticed two stationary, suspicious-looking silver vehicles bearing Lesotho registration plates. As members tactically approached the scene, one of the vehicles sped off at high speed. The patrolling members immediately intercepted and blocked the remaining vehicle, securing the two occupants inside,” Covane said.
A nearby Bloemfontein Flying Squad unit noticed the second vehicle fleeing and immediately gave chase. The vehicle was successfully cornered in a nearby street, where four male suspects were quickly apprehended.
“Upon searching the second vehicle, police discovered a badly injured 35-year-old male inside. Preliminary interviews revealed that the victim had allegedly been abducted from his shack in front of his family under accusations of damaging another individual’s window. He was then severely assaulted by the suspects,” Covane said.
The kidnapping victim was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment, where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
“All six suspects, aged between 18 and 40, have been arrested and will face charges of kidnapping, attempted murder, and malicious damage to property. The two silver vehicles have also been seized as part of the ongoing investigation. The suspects are expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court soon,” Covane said.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
IOL