The hijacked vehicle.
A local mother and her young child were safely rescued following a dramatic kidnapping and carjacking incident in KaBokweni on Tuesday, July 7.
According to Mpumalanga police, Captain Mpho Nonyane-Mpe, the woman was attacked by at least two heavily armed suspects who assaulted her before forcing her to transfer an undisclosed amount of money using her cellphone banking application.
The suspects then abducted the mother and child in her own vehicle and drove off.
Mpho Nonyane-Mpe said a joint operation involving the Provincial Anti-Hijacking Task Team, a private security task team and a vehicle tracking company quickly traced the stolen vehicle to Newscom in KaBokweni.
“The vehicle was found hidden between two residential properties. Inside, officers discovered the mother and her child unharmed after the suspects had instructed them to remain in the vehicle. Investigators believe the suspects fled on foot moments before law enforcement arrived at the scene,”
“The victims were safely rescued without further injury and have since been reunited with their families,” said Nonyane-Mpe.
She added that KaBokweni SAPS has opened cases of carjacking, kidnapping and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects.
Anyone with information that could assist in the investigation is urged to contact the Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111, report it to the nearest police station, or submit an anonymous tip through the My SAPS App.
