[WATCH] Police Launch Manhunt After 4 Children Kidnapped in Polokwane at Gunpoint

Polokwane police have launched a massive manhunt for a group of suspects involved in the kidnapping of four school children from a vehicle that was transporting them to school.

It is understood the the children aged 6, 11, 13 and 15 years, who are all learners from a primary school in Dalmada, on the outskirts of Polokwane, were forcefully removed from their scholar transport by a group of about 7 suspects armed with rifles on Wednesday morning.

The police’s Motlafela Mojapelo says the 64-year-old driver allegedly fetched the children from Nirvana and was driving along then R37 road near the N1 bypass when he was accosted by the suspects.

Mojapelo says says the motive for the incident is unknown at this stage but police investigations are underway.

“He was blocked by two vehicles, a white Kia Sorento and  black Mercedes Benz. A total of seven ooccupants from the two vehicles, dressed in white overalls alighted and started firing shots randomly. The suspects then forced the four children out of the vehicle into their Mercedez Benz and then drove off towards the direction of the R81 road, leaving the distraught driver on the scene together with his vehicle.”

Mojapelo says a manhunt has been launched for the suspects and the children.

“The victims’ cellphones were later recovered after they were found dumped at Flora Park. The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has ordered a high level search operation that also involves the Airwing.”

Mojapelo has urged anyone with information related to the incident or the whereabouts of the children to contact police