The high-profile kidnapping of the Moti brothers has been a mystery that’s left some South Africans scratching their heads while others have remained empathetic.
The boys – Zidan, Zayyad, Alaan, and Zia – were released on Thursday, November 11, after they endured a three-week kidnapping and hostage ordeal and were dropped off in a nearby road in Limpopo.
News24 previously reported that the Moti family allegedly paid a R50 million ransom for the safe return of the four brothers, and received the information from “three impeccable sources,” of which two are “in law enforcement with intimate knowledge of the investigation.”
But a spokesperson for the family allegedly denied that ransom was paid.
In recent developments that have surfaced, SAPS revealed to eNCA that the investigation has been stalled because the father has interdicted the police from speaking to the children. The family has also relocated to Dubai, according to reports, while sources say the family argued that the children’s traumatised state would get worse if they are questioned.
These sentiments were earlier echoed by family spokesperson Nazir Osman, who previously said that “This ordeal has been extremely traumatic for the boys and the entire Moti family. We humbly request that the public respect and uphold their privacy as they rest and recuperate.”
In addition, SAPS spokesperson Robert Netshiund told eNCA “When the boys were recovered, as the police had to take them to an institution where they will be examined whether they were mentally and physically healthy. And all of a sudden we were interdicted by the father that we cannot go anywhere close to the children, we cannot interview them nor any member of the family.”
Meanwhile, during an interview, Police Minister Bheki Cele said he is aware of the latest developments surrounding the Moti kidnapping investigation.
“We regard it as non-cooperation at the moment, rather than obstruction of justice. Perhaps the time will come where we will draw the line and say this is just non-cooperation. But they are hindering the working of justice. When the time comes, we might change our tactic but I have been briefed,” Cele expressed.
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