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| Gareth Wilson |
North West police have arrested two more suspects, including a police officer, in connection with the kidnapping of two cousins, Zahraa Mohammed and Bataviya Mohammed. The teenagers were kidnapped on March 6 in a dramatic abduction involving several vehicles while they were on their way to school. They were rescued on March 25 from a house in New Stands, Klipgat near Winterveldt and Mabopane. The multi-disciplinary team arrested six suspects during the search, including a police sergeant attached to Letlhabile detectives. Two of the six people arrested during the rescue have been cleared and released.
The first suspect, Humphrey Martin, has appeared before the Brits Magistrate’s Court three times this month, including on Monday. He remains in custody and is expected to appear again on April 8 for formal bail application. After the rescue, the cousins were examined by paramedics at Klipgat police station's victims-friendly room (VFR) and found to be in "a good state of health except for exhaustion and trauma."
Lt. General Sello Kwena, provincial commissioner of police in North West, welcomed the latest round of arrests, particularly the arrest of a police officer, as it will serve as an indication that no one is above the law. Kwena also vowed to ensure that all alleged perpetrators are brought to book and that the South African Police Service's image will not be damaged by unethical employees.
The kidnapping occurred when the kidnappers bumped into a Mercedes Benz transporting the teenagers to school. A maroon Audi A3 was used to crash into the Mercedes Benz, forcing it to stop. The assailants then fled from the crime scene, with the kidnapped teenagers in the white VW Polo. The Mercedes Benz and the Audi A3 vehicles were abandoned at the crime scene.
