The police at Komatipoort are investigating an incident in which three employees (two women and a man) were kidnapped from a farm at Komatipoort in the evening of Sunday, 24 September 2023 around 19:00. The victims were somehow released from the hands of their assailants on Friday, 29 September 2023.
A report by the police indicates that three suspects armed with pangas entered the farm and then pounced on workers and held the trio hostage. Another employee could have been the forth one but he was fortunate after hiding underneath a tractor. The suspects then forcefully took the three employees under duress into the bushes and kept there. Their families became worrisome not knowing what could have happened to their loved ones and eventually reported the incident to the police in Komatipoort where a case of kidnapping was registered. A team of experts was immediately established to probe the matter under the leadership of the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela. The team consisted of members from Visible Policing, Tactical Response Team (TRT), K9 (Dog) Unit, detectives from Komatipoort SAPS and their counterparts from Ehlanzeni District, Crime Intelligence, hostage negotiators, as well as officials from the Department of Health.
All the victims were fortunately freed by their capturers though these kidnappers are still at large.
The team is working around the clock to ensure that these perpetrators are soon brought to book.
The victims are currently traumatized however they are receiving the necessary support needed as well as medical care in hospital.
Preliminary investigation by the police indicates that the victims were subjected to gross human violation during the ordeal. At this stage, the investigation is in progress. Police are also convinced that the suspects could be foreign nationals from Mozambique and they are currently working with role players like Interpol to ensure that no one escape from the might of the law.
The investigators therefore seek the assistance of Mr Reuben Makwakwa (picture attached) who can be of great help in solving this kidnapping saga. The motive for the kidnapping is unknown at this stage however police cannot rule out possibilities of demand for ransom and this quest will form part of the investigation.
Police urge Mr Makwakwa or anyone who knows where he can be located to immediately contact the police by calling Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPS app. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
Lieutenant General Manamela has welcomed the return of the three victims and vowed that law enforcers will continue to work tirelessly and exhaust all the resources available to arrest those responsible.
Content retrieved from: https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=48680.
