Layla Hadid
The South African Police Services (SAPS) announced the successful location of two young women, cousins, who had been reported missing earlier in the month in Brits, North West Province.
A concerted effort by a specialized team, including the Provincial Organised Crime Unit, the Head Office Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Bojanala Platinum Sub-District 2 Task Team, and Brits Crime Intelligence, led to the recovery of 17-year-old Zahraa Mohammed and 19-year-old Bataviya Mohammed. After vanishing on 6 March 2024, the pair were discovered in the late hours of 25 March in a domicile within New Stands, Klipgat, adjacent to Winterveldt and Mabopane, according to official statements from the SAPS.
“In the process of locating the victims, the determined team arrested six suspects. The seventh suspect; Humphrey Martin, aged 48, was arrested in the early hours of Friday morning, 8 March 2024, at Naturena, in Johannesburg. He has already appeared in the Brits Magistrates’ Court on 11, 18, and 25 March 2024. He remains in custody and is expected to appear again on Monday, 8 April 2024, for formal bail application.” Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said.
Following their recovery, the cousins underwent a health assessment by paramedics, revealing they were in sound health despite experiencing exhaustion and trauma. They have since been reunited with their families, showing no physical injuries from their ordeal.
The abduction incident initially unfolded when the victims’ vehicle was forcibly stopped by a collision with what was described as a stolen Audi A3. Subsequently, two armed individuals from a white VW Polo GTI compelled the cousins into their vehicle, while the driver of the Audi and another accomplice, identified as Martin, escaped in a Toyota Hilux. Both the cousins’ Mercedes-Benz and the implicated Audi were later found abandoned at the scene of the crime.
The group of suspects involved in this harrowing incident is slated to face legal proceedings soon in the Brits Magistrates’ Court on charges including kidnapping and extortion.
Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, the North West Provincial Commissioner of Police, lauded the tireless work of the multi-disciplinary team responsible for the successful resolution of this case. He emphasized that the arrests serve as a stark reminder to criminals that they will be pursued and brought to justice, echoing a sentiment of no refuge for wrongdoers within the community.
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