THE Free State police have launched a manhunt for three men accused of hijacking and kidnapping a school principal.
On the day of the incident, Tuesday, 12 December, the principal arrived at Meloding Primary School at about 7:10am in his Nissan NP200 bakkie with FS registration numbers.
The security guard opened the gate for him and shortly after, an unknown man arrived and asked to meet the principal.
The man was allowed to enter the school grounds as that was the day pupils were getting their reports. The guard then left the gate to lend a cellphone charger to the caterers.
Police spokesman Captain Stephen Thakeng said when the guard moved to the front section of the administration offices, he discovered the principal's bakkie still idling.
Thakeng said the guard went in to inform the principal about his vehicle, but he was grabbed and forced in by an unknown person who claimed to want to meet the principal.
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"Inside the office, the principal was standing with his hands tied behind him and his mouth closed with a sellotape, while two other men were armed with firearms," said Thakeng.
The guard was searched and his cellphone was taken. He was then tied up along with the caretaker. The three suspects with a Lesotho accent drove away in the principal's vehicle.
Thakeng said the robbers had reportedly asked for money from the school, but were unable to receive it.
"The suspects left Welkom for an unknown destination. They began demanding money be moved from the school account, but they were unsuccessful," said Thakeng, adding that the suspects freed the principal but stole his vehicle, a white nissan NP200 bakkie with the registration plate FLR 387 FS.
"Our team is investigating cases of kidnapping, business robbery, and carjacking. Anyone with information about these suspects should call Crime Stop on 08600 10111," said Thakeng.
