By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has confirmed that its deputy president and Member of Parliament, Nqabayomzi Kwankwa survived a kidnapping ordeal in Cape Town.
In an official statement the party said, Kwankwa was kidnapped on his way to Cape Town Airport en route to the Presidential inauguration.
The perpetrators demanded a ransom of R10,000 for his safe return, which the party mmediately paid.
Kwankwa was safely released, albeit shaken and traumatised, but all his belongings, including his vehicle, were stolen.
He is in contact with the police and his family has been informed of what has occurred.
“The UDM is saddened by this horrific event, but is very grateful for his safe return. We wish Tshawe well on his road to recovery from this dastardly incident,” UDM president Bantu Holomisa said.
Holomisa also took to social media to express his gratitude and relieve that Kwankwa was found safe and sound.
We are relieved that UDM Deputy President Nqabayomzi Kwankwa is safe after being kidnapped and robbed today. We wish him well in recovering from this ordeal. https://t.co/xTKeM09ha9
— Bantu Holomisa (@BantuHolomisa) June 18, 2024
SA Police Services sources involved in the investigation suggested that the kidnappers might not have known Kwankwa’s identity.
Initially, the suspects attempted to force Kwankwa to withdraw money from an ATM at a petrol station but abandoned this plan because of the presence of security personnel.
Instead, they kept Kwankwa captive before releasing him in Lingelethu West, Khayelitsha.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said, “Western Cape Anti-Kidnapping multidisciplinary task team, comprising Organised Crime Investigation and DPCI investigators as well as Crime Intelligence, 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.”