JOHANNESBURG — Four men were arrested for allegedly kidnapping a mother and her baby in Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg, Gauteng police said on Wednesday.
The woman and the baby girl travelled with the men from Zimbabwe, spokesman Warrant officer Daniel Mavimbela said.
“The agreed fare was reportedly R300,” he said.
“It is alleged that before she could reach her intended destination, Brits, where she was going to visit her husband, the fare was inflated to R1 500.”
The woman was taken to Diepsloot because she could not afford the amount, Mavimbela said.
She was kept in a shack since Thursday and given only soft drinks.
“The alleged kidnappers apparently called the woman’s husband and threatened that unless he paid the R1 500, he would never see his wife and daughter.”
The husband could not afford the money and alerted the police.
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The baby was found to be dehydrated and treatment was sought to nurse her back to health.
“Police officers, out of their own pockets, ensured that the baby and mother were nourished properly as recommended by the medics, before transporting the family to their home in Brits,” Mavimbela said.
The men, aged between 28 and 43, were expected to appear in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of kidnapping.
– Sapa
