All 4 Sons Of Wealthy Businessman And Wife Released After Being Kidnapped On Way To School

The four sons of a wealthy South African businessman and his wife have been released and reunited with their family after they were kidnapped three weeks ago.

Zidan, Zayyad, Alaan, and Zia Moti, aged 6 to 15, were abducted by seven men armed with rifles and handguns while on their way to school three weeks ago, stunning South Africa, but they have now been reunited with their family, according to local media outlet The South African.

The news comes as a relief, as police had little to no leads in the case, still according to the South African newspaper, with very little details known.

Zidan, 6, (bottom right) Zayyad, 11, (bottom left) Alaan, 13 (top right) and Zia, 15, (top left) were kidnapped while being taken to school on 20th October, in Polokwane, South Africa. (Newsflash)

The four brothers were apparently snatched while being driven by their chauffeur from their home in the neighbourhood of Nirvana to the Curro Heuwelkruin Independent School they attend in the city of Polokwane (formerly Pietersburg) in the South African province of Limpopo, at approximately 7 am on Wednesday 20th October.

The boys are the sons of Naazim and Shakira Moti. Both of Indian origin, Nazim is a prominent local businessman who reportedly owns the Polokwane car dealership ‘Auto Moti’. His net worth is unknown.

Local media including The Citizen and Review Online reported that two vehicles blocked the path of the BMW in which the boys were travelling on the R37 provincial route. One was described as a silver-grey or champagne-coloured Kia Sorento and the other as a black Mercedes-Benz. Neither car reportedly had licence plates.

The car used in the kidnaping was found abandoned on 20th October, in Polokwane, South Africa. (Newsflash)

According to local media including IOL, the boys were taken by seven heavily-armed men wearing white overalls, with the police swiftly launching a large-scale manhunt for them.

The hashtag #MotiBrothers trended on Twitter as well-wishers hoped for the boys’ safe return.

The boy’s parents have released a short statement which has been published in South African media outlets and which says: “The parents of Zia, Alaan, Zayyad and little Zidane, Naazim and Shakira Moti, are overjoyed by the return of their four sons. We thank Almighty Allah for accepting our prayers and the prayers of so many in South Africa & throughout the world.

Post announcing that Zia, Alaan, Zayyad and little Zidan are back home. (Newsflash)

“We wish to express our sincere gratitude to the South African Police Services, our political parties, the media, all the social media influencers and everyone who prayed for the safety of our children. We are thankful that they were set free and when we received a phone call to fetch the children we rushed to the scene full of hope.

“Naazim and Shakira Moti”

The police investigation into the kidnapping, which has so far yielded no suspects, is ongoing.