WELKOM – The six men implicated in an alleged kidnapping syndicate operating from a house in Karee Crescent, Welkom, appeared in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court today on charges of House Robbery and Kidnapping.

The case has been postponed to 11 August and the accused, Frans Mahlatsi (47), Louis Pobe (57), Petrus Molati Ntema (40), Unam Mayongo (28), Raymond Chauke (39) and Motsie Mpho (35) remain in custody.

On Friday, 24 July, a 29-year-old kidnapping victim was rescued during a police operation in Welkom that led to the arrest of the six suspects and the seizure of firearms, ammunition and three vehicles.

The operation was carried out through a joint effort by the Free State Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit, the Welkom K9 Unit and the Parkweg Tactical Response Team (TRT).

According to police, the victim was allegedly abducted at gunpoint from his home in Steyn. The incident was reported to the Welkom police and the Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit based in Thabong.

Investigators established that the victim’s family had received telephone calls from the alleged kidnappers demanding an undisclosed ransom for his release.

Acting on intelligence, police traced the suspects to a house in Flamingo Park. Members of the Welkom K9 Unit and the Tactical Response Team surrounded the property before moving in.

Police said the suspects attempted to flee when they became aware of the officers’ presence, but they were swiftly apprehended.

A search of the premises led to the discovery of the victim inside a garage with his hands tied behind his back. He was reportedly found in a state of severe shock and had sustained injuries to the back of his head, as well as bruising to his hands and feet.

During the operation, police confiscated two handguns, ammunition and three vehicles. Preliminary investigations revealed that one of the vehicles had been reported stolen in Winburg.

According to a police statement, charges could also include extortion, unlawful possession of firearms and possession of a suspected stolen vehicle.

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