United Democratic Movement (UDM) Deputy President Nqabayomzi Kwankwa was released after allegedly being kidnapped on his way to Cape Town International Airport.
What happened to Nqabayomzi Kwankwa?
According to reports, Kwankwa was travelling to Gauteng to attend the presidential inauguration at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Speaking to reporters, UDM leader Bantu Holomisa revealed that Kwankwa was ambushed and abducted by armed men in Driftsands, Mfuleni.
The kidnappers forced him into their vehicle, robbed him of his belongings, and took his car.
Holomisa stated:
“The UDM paid the ransom and Mr. Kwankwa was safely released, albeit shaken and traumatised. We wish Tshawe well on his road to recovery from this dastardly incident.”
Kwankwa’s vehicle was later found abandoned in Khayelitsha, approximately 15 kilometres from Driftsands.
Initially, the suspects attempted to force Kwankwa to withdraw money from an ATM at a petrol station but abandoned this plan due to the presence of security personnel.
Instead, they kept Kwankwa captive before releasing him in Lingelethu West, Khayelitsha.
Following his release, Kwankwa made his way to a local police station to report the crime.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed the involvement of the Western Cape Anti-Kidnapping multidisciplinary task team in the investigation.
This team includes SAPS’s specialised organised crime unit and the Hawks.
Potelwa stated:
“The team is currently piecing together details following an incident where a 44-year-old man was allegedly hijacked, kidnapped, and robbed by armed suspects in Driftsands, Mfuleni, on Tuesday afternoon. Allegedly after the ordeal, the victim was dropped off in Lingelethu West, Khayelitsha, where he made his way to a police station in the area to report the crime. His vehicle has since been recovered in the Khayelitsha area.”