Nelspruit: 24 May 2022- The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has ordered for the swift arrest of the two suspects who were involved in the kidnapping of a young woman as she waited for a taxi to ferry her home. The 21 year old lady was reportedly kidnapped by two male suspects next to a Gym at Schoemansdal plaza, in Nkomazi yesterday evening, Monday 23 May 2022. However her assailants left her at Tonga before they fled with her cell phone.
According to the information, the young woman was waiting to board a taxi which was going to take her home (in Driekoppies) at around 18h15. It is said that suddenly a green Toyota Corolla emerged with two male occupants who allegedly pointed her with a firearm then ordered her to get inside the car.
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.
Surprisingly, before the suspects released her, 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 gadget (phone) 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.
The investigation team has since urged the public who knows 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.
In the meantime, the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has strongly condemned this incident and vowed that, like in all other cases, this one will also receive the necessary attention it deserves. “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” said the General.
