Two in court after boy kidnapped at school

THE state will oppose bail for two men accused of kidnapping a little boy from outside a school before trying to extort money from his father.

The men, aged 32 and 31, of Bethelsdorp and Bloemendal respectively, appeared in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

They cannot be named until they plead to the charges.

They were remanded in custody until today, when a date for a formal bail application will be arranged.

Both told the court they had no previous convictions or pending cases.

It is alleged they abducted a 10-year-old boy from outside Grey’s after-school care centre on Friday afternoon before taking him to a property and holding him against his will.

They allegedly contacted the boy’s father, demanding R50 000 for his safe return.

The boy managed to alert a neighbour, who telephoned the police. Police are still on the hunt for a third suspect. It was ordered that the men be held at the Mount Road police station.