The community of Erasmus in Piet Retief in Mpumalanga is still in shock after a group of three armed men entered a home at around 9pm in the area and robbed them of their personal belongings. "One of the men collected the ATM cards of the family and forced them to write down the pin for each card," said the resident who wished not to be named.

MONEY WITHDRAWN

It is alleged that during the incident the men three men forced 15-year old Luzuko Mbisi and a female family friend Aphumelele Nama (24) into a White Golf 7 GTI and left the residence. The following morning R4000 was withdrawn from Luzuko's mother's bank account at an Absa bank ATM in Ermelo and in the evening R1000 was withdrawn from the same account.

POLICE INVESTIGATING

The family had the ATM cards stopped shortly thereafter. "The kidnappers have been using Luzuko to call some of his family members to ask them to transfer money to her bank accounts. Threats have been made that Luzuko will be harmed if the family does not comply," the family has claimed. Mpumalanga SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala confirmed the incident."The police are investigating case of house breaking and kidnapping. Kidnapped are a 25-year old lady and 15- year male child. On Sunday around 23:30, the victim heard a knock at the door, she then checked and saw her family friend who is 25 years old. Upon her opening the door, three suspects forceful entered the house and demanded money," said Mohlala. One shot was allegedly fired during the incident," he said.