By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Mpumalanga’s Human Settlements MEC Speedy Mashilo was on Thursday afternoon hijacked near KwaMhlanga and kidnapped for seven hours.
ANC’s Nkangala spokesperson Sello Matshoga said Mashilo was on his way to Sun City at the time.
“When he passed Hokai, he was overtaken by an unknown vehicle. Guns were pointed at him and he was forced to stop,” Matshoga said.
Matshoga said the hijackers sped off with Mashilo.
“They then drove to East Rand with him before dropping him off near Olifantsfontein at around 8 pm,”he says.
No injuries were sustained, and Mashilo’s double cap Toyota Hilux has not been recovered yet.
Matshoga added that the hijackers took the MEC’s laptop, bank cards wallet, money, cellphone, and everything inside the car.
He said the hijackers also managed to withdraw R80 000 from Mashilo’s bank accounts.
Matshoga said the incident was reported to the Olifantsfontein police station in Clayville.
The African National Congress (ANC) in Nkangala region condemns in the strongest possible terms, the hijacking and kidnapping of Comrade Mashilo. We appeal to members of the public who may have information on the incident or may have spotted the registration number to report the matter to the police,” he said,
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said police had launched a manhunt for the suspects.
“Mashilo was driving his Toyota Hilux bakkie on the R568 road between Ekangala and KwaMhlanga at around 12pm when he was suddenly overtaken by a BMW sedan with one visible occupant.
“Suddenly two unknown occupants, whom were not visible pointed guns at him and forced him to stop.
“He was then forced into their BMW and drove off with him whilst the other suspect was driving his bakkie,” said Mohlala.
Mohlala confirmed the hijackers drove with the MEC to an East Rand township, took him into another car and eventually dumped him in Olifantsfontein around 8pm.