Johannesburg - The distraught family of Nkangala municipal manager Maggie Skhosana are praying for the safe return of her and her PA and driver, Gugu Motshweni.
Skhosana, the mother of four and Motshweni were on Thursday kidnapped outside the municipal offices in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, before they could enter, allegedly by men impersonating police officers.
It is alleged that an unmarked vehicle with blue lights stopped next to their vehicle minutes before they disappeared.
Personal belongings, including the car and Skhosana’s wheelchair, were recovered near a local mine in Middelburg.
The Skhosana family’s spokesperson, Dr Pieter Skosana, said the family confirms that Skhosana and Motshweni were kidnapped at about 8am in front of guard officers.
“But surprisingly enough the family was only informed at about 4pm. We are pleading with all South Africans to pray with the family and assist,” Skosana said.
Nkangala District Municipality mayor Leah Mabuza said they do not suspect the kidnapping is related to municipality dealings.
“The big project that we’re implementing in Nkangala district had a lot of interests. And in that interest, we want to report that there were no hindrances of any other person that might come forward and say I am interested and I want these projects.
“We had to run that process mostly up to its finality on appointing the service provider and the MM was at the centre because we’re an implementing agency as a district for water bulk supply. Police said there is still no information relating to the matter and investigations are continuing.”
Mpumalanga police are appealing to the community to come forward with any information.
Mpumalanga SAPS spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said a case of kidnapping was registered at Middelburg.
“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 Mohlala.
The wheelchair and other property believed to be belonging to the victims were also recovered in the abandoned vehicle, with no sight of the victims, he said.
Mohlala said no arrest has been made so far. Anyone who can assist police to 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 MYSAPS app. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant-General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, condemned the violent crime and promised to leave no stone unturned to save the kidnapped victims’ lives.
The Star