Welkom cops pounce on five suspects for kidnapping

Five suspects are set to appear before Welkom Magistrate Court tomorrow, July 26, for kidnapping charges.

Lejweleputswa spokesperson, captain Stephen Thakeng said kidnapping cases are on the rise in the district and many kidnappers do the act mainly for ransom.

In this case, the victim was kidnapped and the case of kidnapping was opened.

Thakeng alluded that a joint command center was established to set the trap for the suspects.

“In the afternoon of yesterday,  the police received a tip-off from residents and gave it to Crime Intelligence which led to the arrest of five suspects,” said Thakeng.

Various police stakeholders worked together and they arrested first suspect in his house in Thabong.

The suspect cooperate with police by taking them to New Stands and Gugulethu informal settlements where the remaining four suspects were arrested.

Four suspects who are between the ages of 23 and 29-year-old were in possession of five cellphones and one magazine that had seven live ammunition.

“Four of the suspects are foreign nationals and one of them was a South African,” added Thakeng.