NELSPRUIT - A former police Sergeant and a woman are amongst seven suspects that are expected to appear before the Nkomazi Magistrate's Court on Monday, 19 December 2022 on suspicion of kidnapping and assaulting a 37 year victim at KaMaqhekeza on Thursday, 15 December 2022 at about 01h00 am.

According to information, members of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) spotted two suspicious looking vehicles, a navy blue BMW as well as a powder blue Mini Cooper at Dludluma outside Komatipoort.

When the vehicles were stopped for investigation, eight occupants were in the vehicles. It is said that the victim got a chance to report to SANDF members that he was forcefully taken from his residence and assaulted. It is further alleged that he (the victim) was abducted, all the seven occupants aged between 22 and 43 were present.

The Army members took the victim and the suspects then handed them over to the police in Tonga and an investigation to the motive behind the alleged kidnapping and assault is underway.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela applauded members of the SANDF for their vigilance and outstanding work which saved the victim's life.

Source: South African Police Service