Johannesburg – An elderly woman allegedly abducted by her nephew and an unknown person in Phuthaditjhaba has been found in the boot of her car which had been abandoned after a crash, Free State police said on Friday.
Spokesperson Sergeant Mmako Mophiring said a vehicle belonging to the victim, Mapatsi Mirriam Tsotetsi, 78, was also recovered.
It had reportedly been involved in two accidents. "She has been admitted in local hospital with serious injuries. It is alleged that on 4 January 2016 at approximately 22:00 the community members informed the police of suspicious vehicle at Matebeleng Village involved in an accident with another vehicle and running over two pedestrians," Mophiring said.
Two people abandoned one of the vehicles and ran away. Police searched the abandoned vehicle.
"The police found the elderly woman in the back of her car’s boot with swollen and eyes and serious injuries on her body. She was rushed to hospital. The suspects are still at large," said Mophiring.
Recounting events leading to the Tsotetsi's kidnap and subsequent rescue, Mophiring said on Wednesday police were summoned to a house in Ramajoe Street, in Phuthaditjhaba, where they found victim's son, Benjamin Ndebe. He had been assaulted.
"He alleged that a family member together with his friend were at the house," said Mophiring. The assailants then grabbed his 78-year-old mother and bundled her into her white Toyota Corolla before they drove off.
Police are appealing to anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact the Phuthaditjhaba Police Station.