5 people arrested in connection with kidnapping of nine-year-old boy in Gauteng

JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng police arrested five suspects connected to the kidnapping of a young boy in Laudium. 

The nine-year-old was rescued after being held captive for four days in a house in Danville, Pretoria.

According to police, the suspects, foreign nationals from Pakistan and Afghanistan, aged between 24 and 37, forcefully took the boy from a family friend's home on Tuesday.

The suspects then called his parents demanding a ransom for his release.

Gauteng police spokesperson, Mavela Masondo, said that on Friday, officers found the vehicle that was used during the kidnapping and arrested its two occupants.

"The suspects led the police to a house, where the kidnapped child was found and two more suspects were arrested. Further investigation led to the arrest of the fifth suspect, who is known to the family."

The suspects face charges of kidnapping and the possession of unlicenced firearm and ammunition and will appear before the Atteridgeville Magistrates Court on Monday.