Five men were kidnapped from Newton Park and brutally assaulted in Motherwell yesterday, 7 September, prompting police to launch a major investigation into what authorities are calling a serious violent crime.
According to SAPS spokesperson, Captain Andre Beetge, this came after it was alleged that five males (homeless and aged between 29 and 36 years) were kidnapped by approximately six male suspects at 4th Avenue and Cape Road, Newton Park using a Ford Ranger bakkie and a VW Polo on 7 September at about 14:00.
“It is further alleged that they were taken to Motherwell and that one of the 36-year-old males managed to escape through the vehicle canopy (of the Ford Ranger) on the N2 and jumped from the moving vehicle,” he added.
“In Motherwell the remaining four males were taken to an unknown warehouse where they were severely assaulted by the suspects using sjamboks. The reason was given as an alleged housebreaking in Newton Park.”
Beetge said that another male victim (unknown and aged in his late 20s) was also brought to the warehouse and he was also severely assaulted until he lost consciousness.
“The suspects then allegedly dropped all of them off in the bushes at Motherwell.”
Beetge stated that the victims alerted police and the victim in his late 20s was transported to hospital, but he passed away en route to hospital.
“Cases of murder, kidnapping and grievous bodily harm (GBH) assault were opened and are being investigated by SAPS Mount Road and Motherwell,” he concluded.
