An eight-year-old boy who was kidnapped after going fishing in Canelands – KZN has been safely located, and a female suspect has been arrested by Reaction Officers today (Tuesday).
The child left home with a 32-year-old neighbour to go fishing at a local dam in Canelands - KZN. While on their way, they briefly encountered an unknown woman. During the outing, the neighbour became distracted and later noticed the same woman walking away with the child. He attempted to follow them but lost sight of both individuals.
The neighbour later reported the incident to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) and was found to be in possession of the child’s sandals. He was unable to provide immediate contact details for the child’s mother. Reaction Officers transported him to Cottonlands - KZN and confirmed that the child had not returned home.
While conducting a search of the area where the minor was last seen, Reaction Officers noticed a woman matching the description provided by the neighbour at the entrance of a sugarcane plantation along Vincent Dickinson Road in Canelands - KZN. Officers approached and questioned her regarding the child’s whereabouts. She subsequently led First Responders approximately 200 metres into a nearby cane field, where the boy was located.
During an interview, the woman could not provide a reasonable explanation for taking the child. She claimed that she had asked him to accompany her to her residence in Lotusville – KZN, where she fed him and forced him to take a bath. She replaced his clothing and returned with the child to the cane field and instructed him to remain there until she returned. The child was secured by Reaction Officers and reunited with his mother.
The female suspect was arrested and transported to the South African Police Service (SAPS), where she was detained on a charge of Kidnapping.