TEENAGE friends are facing criminal charges after allegedly staging a kidnapping.
The “victim” was allegedly found having a good time and drunk.
This comes after the 17-year-old was reported missing by her family after leaving her home at Ndindindi in Nquthu, KZN on 25 March.
KZN police said the missing persons docket was later changed to kidnapping after an unknown suspect demanded R8 000 ransom from her family.
“The team worked tirelessly using all available resources to search for the kidnapped victim. The investigation revealed that the kidnapped victim was in Umlazi U section . An operation was put in place on 6 April, with police officers from various units in the SAPS,” said the police. They said they pounced on an informal dwelling in a bushy area in Umlazi, searching for the missing teen.
“The victim fled into a nearby house upon seeing the police. She was chased and was found under the influence of liquor. She was taken along with her 1alleged accomplice (15) for questioning.” Upon questioning, it was established that the teen visited a friend whom she allegedly met on social media.
Police said: “It was further established that videos were taken of her to create the impression that she was being held captive.
‘The videos were forwarded to her family and a ransom was demanded.”
The suspects are currently released into their parents’ custody, pending further investigation. This was after the matter was not enrolled at the Nquthu Magistrate Court.
They are facing charges of extortion, conspiracy to commit an offence as well as defeating the ends of justice.
The police said people found reporting false cases will face the full might of law as it results in resources being wasted while police should be focusing on serious crimes.
