Three men who allegedly kidnapped young boys to force them to go to an initiation school and later demanded money from their parents have been arrested.

According to the police, the suspects mobilised unsuspecting young boys from around Mahikeng and Lehurutshe to join the initiation school. The parents reported their children missing at Mahikeng and Lehurutshe police stations.

ABDUCTED FOR MONEY 

North West police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said their investigations led them to an illegal initiation school between Ramatlabama and Tsetse villages, outside Mahikeng. "After recruiting these young boys, they would call the parents and demand money for the safety of the victims. Consequently, about 40 initiates between the ages of 15 and 20 were rescued. The illegal schools were closed while the boys were taken to a local hospital where they were treated," Funani said.   

COURT APPEARANCE 

One of the suspects, 24-year-old Bongani Moatlhodi appeared at Lehurutshe Magistrates Court today in connection with the kidnapping of a 16-year-old boy.  The other two suspects, aged 26 and 30, are expected to appear in the Molopo Magistrates' Court in Mmabatho on Monday, 3 July 2023, for their first court appearance. North West provincial police commissioner ,Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, applauded the police for acting swiftly to rescue the boys and arrest the suspects.