PRETORIA: Police have rescued a nine-year-old boy four days after he was kidnapped in Laudium, Tshwane.
This was confirmed by Gauteng police Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo on Saturday further affirming that he has since been reunited with his parents.
According to Masondo the boy whose parents are from Afghanistan, was forcefully taken from his father's friend's house in Laudium on Tuesday 21 January.
He said it was then that the suspects began demanding a ransom.
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A team comprising the South African Police Service and Private Security Companies was established to rescue the boy and find the suspects.
Masondo said the team made a breakthrough on Friday 24 January 2025, when they found the vehicle that was used during the kidnapping and arrested two suspects.
The arrested suspects led the police to a house in Danville, Pretoria, where the kidnapped child was found and two more suspects were arrested.
Further investigation according to Masondo led to the arrest of the fifth suspect, who is known to the family.
A case of kidnapping and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition has since been opened and the suspects are expected to appear before Atteridgeville Magistrate Court on Monday, 27 January 2025.