Tshwarelo Hunter Mogakane
Pretoria - The ANC in Mpumalanga has urged police to continue searching for Nkangala District municipal manager Maggie Skosana and her driver Gugu Mtshweni, who have been missing for four days following their abduction last week.
Skosana and Mtshweni were snatched at the municipal gates in Middelburg on October 20.
According to police, the victims were stopped by suspects masquerading as police officers driving a white sedan.
“It is alleged that the victims were attacked at the municipality premises’ gates before they could enter. Reports at the police’s disposal indicate that the victims were stopped by suspects in a white sedan wearing police uniform.
“Both vehicles were seen driving in the same direction following each other. Immediately after the incident was reported, police launched an investigation and the victims’ vehicle was recovered abandoned at one of the surrounding mines,” said provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala.
Mohlala said Skosana’s wheelchair and other property believed to be belonging to both victims were also recovered in the abandoned vehicle.
“No arrest has been made so far. Anyone who can assist police locate the alleged kidnapped victims and information regarding the whereabouts of the alleged kidnappers may contact Lieutenant-Colonel Mandla Motha on 082 462 2746.
“Alternatively, members of the public can call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111or send information via the MYSAPS app. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous,” he said.
However, Mohlala has not answered questions on whether there had been any demands for ransom, which would justify the crime being labelled kidnapping instead of abduction.
ANC provincial executive leaders have condemned the abduction.
“The ANC in Mpumalanga has received with great shock and pain the sad news of the abduction and kidnapping of Mrs Skosana and her driver Miss Mtshweni,” said ANC provincial secretary, Muzi Chirwa.
Chirwa said the criminals targeted two vulnerable women, with one of them being a wheelchair user.
“The ANC condemns this act of criminality and cruelty against women who are part of the most vulnerable sections of society. We join (other leaders) and the entire community in calling on any person who has any information to urgently inform the police.
“Law-enforcement agencies are doing all in their power to get to the bottom of this. As the ANC, we have confidence in our law-enforcement agencies and remain hopeful that the culprits will be arrested soon, and the victims found in good health.”
Pretoria News