By: Natasha Archary
A 20-year old Limpopo learner has been arrested for faking his kidnapping and demanding a R7 000 ransom from his parents.
The Limpopo scholar and is 24-year old friend who allegedly conspired to commit the crime with him, has since been arrested for faking his kidnapping and fraud.
According to reports, a massive search was underway after the male learner was “kidnapped” on Friday.
The pupil left his home in Lusaka, Dennilton, on Friday at about 07:00 to attend school, which is about 3km from his home.
The family received a call demanding a ransom from their son’s cellphone number, demanding R7 000 or their son will be killed.
Police say a special team was deployed, including a hostage negotiator. The learner was then located at Tafelkop, after various homesteads were searched.
“The victim was taken along with his 24-year old accomplice for questioning. Both were arrested after they confessed to conspiring and faking the kidnapping in order to get money from the family.
We receive reports of kidnappings and are obliged to act immediately by mobilising resources as the safety of victims could be at stake.
False reports put a lot of strain on police resources which could have been directed to deal with real incidents of crime and to victims who desperately need police assistance.”
The duo appeared at the Mdutjana Magistrates Court in Siyabuswa on Monday, 13 March.



