Boitumelo Bradly Bogatsu was one of nine suspects who kidnapped and held the two teenage cousins, aged 17 and 18, hostage for 20 days before they were found. His eight co-accused are yet to stand trial.
The cousins were on their way from their home in Brits to a school in Hartbeespoort when they were rammed by a red Audi A3 near Central Combined School in Brits. They were forced to stop.
Armed men got out of the Audi A3 and ordered the cousins to get into a white Volkswagen Polo GTI that was driving behind the Audi A3. They fled the scene with the teenagers.
The teenagers were held in a house in Klipgat in the Brits rural area for 20 days before they were found.
“After the kidnapping, Bogatsu called the parents of the 17-year-old girl and demanded R50 million. He also called the parents of the 18-year-old boy and demanded R60 million. He threatened that the teenagers would be killed or trafficked out of the country if the demands were not met,” said Lumka Mahanjana, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
Both families reported the kidnapping to the police on the same day. “Following an investigation, the teenagers were found on 26 March 2024 and reunited with their families.”
Bogatsu and his co-accused were arrested and have remained in custody since the NPA successfully opposed their release on bail.
In court, Bogatsu pleaded guilty to the charges, admitting that he had kidnapped the teenagers and extorted their parents.
“Bogatsu was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment on each of two counts of kidnapping, 10 years’ imprisonment on each of two counts of extortion, and five years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm. The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, resulting in an effective sentence of 15 years’ direct imprisonment,” Mahanjana said.
The trial of the remaining accused, Humphrey Martin (49), Neo Nathaniel Mokoena (41), William Sendrey Phage (58), Vergilio Hlongwane (33), Nkanyiso Bright Hadebe (25), Thulane Jacob Makume (47), Stephen Pitso Kgotsane (35) and Silence Robert Makhubela (31), is scheduled to start in the Pretoria High Court from 26 April to 14 May 2027.
