Man hangs boys from trees
2002-11-25 21:04
Keiskammahoek - A Northern Cape man is being held after allegedly terrorising two children by tying a rope to their feet and hanging them upside down from trees after he found them playing in his yard.
Captain Miriam Nkombisa said the boys were assaulted and terrorised for more than five hours before they were released. They then had to walk 20km home.
The drama started about 18:30 on Saturday when the man (51) arrived home in the Vaaldraai suburb on the outskirts of town, where he found Thabiso Gomba (11) and Zolani Peter (13).
He apparently thought they wanted to break into his house. He forced them into the boot of his car.
Nkombisa said he drove to King William's Town with the boys in the boot. On the way he stopped at the Sandile River.
He allegedly gave them a hiding, before tying a rope to their feet and hanging them upside down from trees on the riverbank.
He drove off, leaving the two bewildered boys hanging from the trees.
He returned much later, untied them and told them to walk home.
When they arrived home tired and aching, their parents reported their ordeal to police, who soon afterwards arrested the man.
The man spent the weekend in jail and will appear on two charges of kidnapping and assault.
Send e-mail to reporter