Two suspects aged 35 and 36, are expected to reappear before Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 4 July 2023, for bail application in connection with kidnapping.
Odirile Junior Kgopane (35) and Luckyboy Kaluwa (36) were apprehended on Monday, 26 June 2023, for the alleged kidnapping of a 12-year-old boy in Rustenburg.
According to information received, on Tuesday, 20 June 2023, at about 16:10, the victim’s mother dropped him at the Karate School in Rustenburg to attend classes.
The mother went back to the school to collect the child at about 18:40. However, the instructor told her that a tall and slim guy who claimed that the victim’s father sent him to fetch the boy.
Police were notified, and the search was launched.
On Wednesday, 21 June 2023, the victim’s father informed the police about a message he received demanding money from him if he wanted to find his child alive.
The two suspects were arrested during a crime intelligence driven operation.
That was after their apparent misunderstanding, which resulted in one of them; Kaluwa, dropping the victim at one of his relatives. Kaluwa was arrested at his house, where the victim was kept after being kidnapped.
Kaluwa ultimately took the police to Kgopane’s house, where he was arrested. The pair appeared before the Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 28 June, for the first court appearance.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated Rustenburg Crime Intelligence, Rustenburg Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offenses Unit (FCS) for working around the clock and making sure that the suspects were arrested.
