The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga have launched a manhunt for two suspects, in connection with the kidnapping of a 21-year-old woman.
According to SAPS Mpumalanga spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the woman was waiting to board a taxi at Schoemansdal plaza, in Nkomazi on Monday evening, 23 May 2022, when a green Toyota Corolla emerged. Two men from the car then pointed a firearm at her then ordered her to get inside.
“It is reported that one of the suspects who was driving at the time forced her to contact her family members, thereby demanding an amount of R10 000 for her freedom. After several attempts to get money failed, including checking the availability of funds on her bank App (on the phone), the suspects decided to let her go,” Mohlala said.
MPUMALANGA KIDNAPPING: ASSAILANTS RELEASE WOMAN
SAPS Mpumalanga says before the men eventually released the woman, they allowed her to make a call, notifying her family of where they were going to find her. The suspects then removed a simcard from the phone but took the phone gadget and left.
“The family found her alive but with slight bruises as she was reportedly assaulted as well as her hands tied (with cable ties) by the suspects during the ordeal. The matter was eventually reported to the police at Schoemansdal and a kidnapping case was opened with an immediate launch of manhunt for the suspects. The victim recalls that amongst the letters in the number plates of the vehicle (an old green Toyota Corolla) which was used by the suspects, there were letters “KC” and she also believes that the car possibly had a Mpumalanga (MP) registration number plates”
SAPS Mpumalanga spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala
Police has since urged the public who may know of a suspicious old green Toyota Corolla with some of the said letters (KC) in the number plates to quickly alert police by calling the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or send information (even pictures) via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has strongly condemned the kidnapping incident, saying: “In this province, we are grateful for the unwavering support that we receive from our communities, who constantly provide us with valuable information on the whereabouts of the suspects who obviously live amongst the communities and definitely known. We are confident that even this time around, they will not disappoint us so that we can capture these individuals before they prey on another victim”
