A Mpumalanga man convicted of attempting to kidnap a 13-year-old girl has to spend five years behind bars for the crime, according to the Hawks in the province.

The Middelburg Regional Court also handed Sthembiso Amon Mchunu, 36, a wholly-suspended sentence of five years on condition that he was not found guilty of kidnapping or attempted kidnapping during the four-year period of suspension.

In addition, Mchunu was declared unfit to possess a firearm.

"On 21 August 2018, Mchunu attempted to kidnap the 13-year-old girl by dragging her into a VW Polo. The girl screamed and her cries caught the attention of a group of bricklayers who swiftly rushed and came to her aid.

"He fled the scene, abandoning the vehicle. It was established that the vehicle was rented from Johannesburg. The provincial Serious Organised Crime Investigation [Unit] was immediately [asked] to investigate the incident. Mchunu was arrested in Ladysmith on 31 December 2018," Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Sekgotodi said.

Mpumalanga Hawks head Major General Zodwa Mokoena welcomed the sentence.

"We hope that such a sentence will send a strong message to all those who may be thinking of [engaging] in nefarious activities that there are severe consequences for inflicting pain on innocent children. 

"I also want to commend the investigating and prosecuting teams for the hard work that led to the arrest and conviction of Mchunu," Mokoena said.