A five-year-old girl who was kidnapped in the Eastern Cape has been rescued and reunited with her family.

The community took matters into their own hands when they spotted the man inside a minibus taxi in the Madeira area. The child was with him.

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu says they community pulled the suspect out of the vehicle and severely assaulted him with stones and sticks. Law enforcement officials patrolling nearby had to intervene and rescue the suspect. The man is in hospital.

Naidu says the suspect who is not known to the child, or her family is expected to appear in court soon. He faces a charge of kidnapping. Police are also investigating a case of attempted murder in relation to the suspect’s assault.