26 and 30 years old suspects in court for opening illegal initiation schools

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Court appearance today of two suspects alleged to be involved in the kidnapping of about 40 young boys.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said they received calls from concerned parents about their mission boy children.

Upon investigations, it was found that three suspects aged between 24 and 30 years went on recruiting spree of young boys under false pretenses at Mahikeng and Lehurutshe Police Stations.

They then used the unsuspecting young boys to open illegal initiation schools around Ramatlabama and Tsetse villages just outside Mafikeng.

“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.”  

One of the three suspects, the 24 years old Bongani Moatlodi was arrested at Lonely Park by Lehurutshe Police and has already appeared at Lehurutshe Magistrates’ Court on Friday in connection with kidnapping of a 16-year-old boy.  

The remaining two suspects aged 26 and 30 are due to appear at Molopo Magistrates’ Court in Mmabatho today.