Three men jailed for kidnapping 11-year-old boy in Inanda

Three men have been sentenced to prison for kidnapping an 11-year-old boy and his driver in Inanda, north of Durban, in a case that left the child’s family fearing for their safety.

Lindokuhle Mthokozisi Thabede, 29, Mvelo Khuzwayo, 29, and Fisokuhle Mbatha, 32, were sentenced in the Ntuzuma Regional Court in KwaZulu-Natal this week. They have begun serving their sentences at the Department of Correctional Services facility in Westville.

The kidnapping took place on 18 May 2022, when the boy was being driven to school.

Ransom demand reached R1 million

The three men kidnapped both the child and the driver transporting him. The driver was allegedly forced into the boot of a vehicle at gunpoint.

One of the accused later contacted the boy’s mother and demanded a R1 million ransom, threatening that the child would be killed if the money was not paid.

The mother contacted police, who monitored the subsequent handover of R90,000 to the accused.

Officers intercepted the vehicle used by the men and were led to a house in Inanda where the child was being held. The ransom money was also recovered.

According to reports in Isolezwe, the court heard that the kidnappers had initially demanded R5 million before reducing the amount to R1 million.

Family says sentence is too lenient

During sentencing, Magistrate Sibongiseni Cele reportedly said the men had not physically harmed the victims. He also indicated that they could potentially be rehabilitated, while acknowledging that their actions were wrong and motivated by money.

The court imposed seven years’ imprisonment for two counts of kidnapping, relating to the boy and his driver, and six years for extortion. The sentences on the second and third counts will run concurrently with the sentence on the first count.

However, Gabisile Mbatha, a relative of the boy, described the sentence as too lenient and raised concerns that the men could be released on parole after serving only part of their terms.

She said the child was still struggling at school because of the trauma and that the family had relocated because of safety fears.

Mbatha said the family intended to discuss whether to challenge the court’s ruling.

Neighbour acquitted in kidnapping case

The investigation also led to the arrest of the child’s neighbour, whose cellphone evidence reportedly linked him to the case.

He appeared in court alongside the three men and was released on bail. However, on Monday, 5 October 2026, the court found him not guilty.

Prosecutor Kaystree Ramsujh highlighted the seriousness of ransom-related kidnappings and extortion in KwaZulu-Natal. She described the incident as an organised and strategically planned operation involving a child who had suffered trauma.

She also pointed to the additional emotional strain on the victim from having to return to court and relive the experience.

Kidnapping cases remain a concern

National crime statistics for April to June 2026 recorded 4,251 kidnapping cases across South Africa.

Gauteng accounted for 2,267 reported cases, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 821 and Mpumalanga with 237.

The figures also recorded 140 ransom-related cases in Gauteng and 48 in KwaZulu-Natal, highlighting the continued concern around kidnappings linked to ransom demands.

The Inanda case has now reached sentencing, but the victim’s family says the lasting effects of the crime continue long after the rescue.