Boy kidnapped during hijacking found unharmed

The five-year-old boy that was kidnapped during a hijacking in Bronkhorstspruit was found at a shelter in central Johannesburg, police said.

"The boy was taken to the shelter after he was found wandering in the streets of Johannesburg," said Captain Sarah Mcira.

It was not clear who took him to the shelter.

She said the boy was reunited with his family on Monday morning after they had identified him.

"Police and the boy's parents picked the boy up at the shelter."

Mcira said police were still looking for the hijackers.

Mongezi Phike was with his father when their car was hijacked by four men on Tuesday.

The boy and his father were in a car at an intersection in Masada, Bronkhorstspruit, when the men approached the car. Two of them were armed.

According to a report, a family friend said the men allegedly tied the father's hands and feet with wire, covered his head with a plastic bag and wrapped tape around his neck.

His identity document, wallet, credit cards and phone were taken.

The friend said the father was hit on the head and left for dead at a construction site, while the hijackers fled with Phike.

The father was later found and taken to a hospital in Delmas.

On Sunday President Jacob Zuma issued an appeal for the boy's safe return.