General
UPDATE: Gauteng pupil kidnapped, ransom demanded─── 07:54 Wed, 26 Feb 2020
A Gauteng pupil, Lindokuhle Masuku, has been kidnapped on Monday while waiting outside his school, Queens High, in Johannesburg, the Gauteng Education Department said in a statement late on Tuesday night.
Grade 8 pupil Masuku was waiting for his transport when he was taken, said the department.
“Subsequently, it is alleged that a ransom of about [R5 million] has been demanded for his release,” said Steve Mabona, the department’s spokesperson.
Police are investigating the 14-year-old’s kidnapping.
Johannesburg police officials haven’t immediately been available for comment.
At the same time, the department said a 15-year-old girl, Kate Spies, has gone missing.
The Grade 8 Lantern School learner is normally picked up by her parents but this did not happen on Tuesday.
The details of her disappearance are still unclear.
This is a developing story. More to follow.
KIDNAPPER ON CAMERA : SHE DISAPPEARED WITH 13 DAY OLD CHILD LEFT IN HER CUSTODY BY THE MOTHER AT DEBONAIRS LAKESIDE MALL. BENONI. EMM. GP. TOLD MOTHER HER NAME IS "KATLEKO". DO U RECOGNISE HER? CALL 10111. pic.twitter.com/tsDNedyfZz
— REZA (@crimeairnetwork) February 22, 2020
UPDATE:
Gauteng Grade 8 pupil Lindokuhle Masuku, who was allegedly kidnapped on Monday while waiting outside his school in Johannesburg, has been found.
Gauteng Education Department spokesperson Steve Mabona said Masuku was found at Maponya Mall on Wednesday morning.
"This is to inform that the Queens High learner was found at Maponya Mall today, circumstances are still not clear. More information will be shared later," Mabona wrote in a media WhatsApp group.
News of the missing Grade 8 pupil caused a massive outpouring of concern on social media. The department had initially said the boy was waiting for his transport when he was taken.
A ransom had been demanded for his release, Mabona said earlier. Gauteng police were investigating a charge of kidnapping.