Kidnapped girl found traumatised, unharmed in Mpumalanga

06 December 2012 - 13:36 By Sapa
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Pura Pahlo. File photo.
Pura Pahlo. File photo.
Image: HO

A seven-year-old girl kidnapped at Waterkloof Primary School in Pretoria was found in Mpumalanga on Thursday, Gauteng police said.

"The little girl was unharmed, but very shook up by the traumatic ordeal," said Warrant Officer Annabel Middleton.

She said the girl was found with her biological father Ray Pahlo, 42, at a guest house in Lydenburg.

"Mr Pahlo was accompanied by a female in her early thirties, speaking with an American accent. Both Pahlo and the female were arrested and detained at Lydenburg."

The girl was kidnapped on Wednesday, when her foster mother was dropping her off.

The woman was approached by four men, claiming to be police officers, who forced her from her car and tried to bind her hands with cable ties.

The girl's father emerged, allegedly snatched the girl, and sped off.

The four, aged between 21 and 45, were arrested and were expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Friday, on charges of kidnapping and impersonating police officers.

Middleton said Pahlo and the woman were being brought back to Pretoria and were expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Monday.

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