By Candice Bezuidenhout and Lisalee Solomons.
The family of Alize van der Merwe, who was kidnapped almost a week ago, but released on Thursday, are “extremely happy”.
The family said they could not comment, but expressed their wish for privacy to celebrate the happy news.
Van der Merwe, 39, was kidnapped while travelling alone in the Eastern Cape last Friday.
After being released by her abductors, she was described as being “traumatised”, but safe.
Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said Van der Merwe and another kidnapped woman, 34, were dropped off by a white Toyota single-cab bakkie, near Sulenkama police station, in the OR Tambo District of the Eastern Cape.
He said the other victim could not be identified at the moment.
She was kidnapped last Tuesday between Elliot and Barkley East.
Mhlakuvana said the women were released after the kidnappers caved due to the pressure exerted by the Hawks.
“Further reports divulged that the victims were traumatised and would be taken to the nearest hospital for medical attention. The matter is still under investigation by the Hawks,” he said. “Thank God, they are alive.”
Van der Merwe was travelling in a white Toyota Fortuner on the N2, from East London to the Umngazi Resort on the Wild Coast, when she was kidnapped.
The last communication with her family was around 11:30 on Friday when she mentioned that she was planning to stop at the Shell Ultra City in Mthatha.
Two hours later, the family received a call that she had been kidnapped.
A ransom demand was made over the weekend, but the Hawks could not divulge the amount or say whether the money had been paid.
A private investigator and the owner of Specialised Security Services, Mike Bolhuis, confirmed that Van der Merwe’s family was informed of her release.
Bolhuis said: “They are safe and sound. My task team is involved with the authorities, and we worked hand-in-hand.
“We just request that the public, including the media, respect the family’s privacy in this serious time. I mean, it’s a traumatising time.
“Everybody [in her family] is aware of her release. It’s all over. They’re happy. Everybody’s happy.
“The public was magic, the police were magic, and all the authorities were magic.”Obviously, we thank God from the depth of our hearts.”
Regarding the investigation, he said a debriefing session would be held either later Thursday or on Friday.
“It’s all being debriefed, and further information will be provided later. It’s all sensitive and confidential,” he said.