Odirile Junior Kgopane (35) and Luckyboy Kaluwa (36) were arrested on 26 June 2023 for the alleged kidnapping of a 12-year-old boy in Rustenburg.

The victim’s mother dropped him off at a karate school on Tuesday (20/6) at around 16:10. At around 18:40, the mother returned to the school to pick up the child. The instructor, however, informed her that the child had been fetched by a tall, slender man who claimed to have been sent by the victim’s father.

Police were immediately notified and a search was launched for the boy.

The child’s father reported a ransom request to the police on 21 June, saying he had received a message asking for money if he wanted to find his son alive.

The two alleged kidnappers had a disagreement and Kaluwa dropped the child off at one of his relatives. Thanks to police efforts, Kaluwa was found at his home and taken into custody. Kgopane was arrested when Kaluwa led the police to his home.

The pair’s first court appearance was on Wednesday (28/6).

OFM News