Nyameka Twabu, the wife of Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) regional manager in Bizana, Mpumelelo Twabu, was kidnapped from her home on Wednesday afternoon.
Twabu – the sister-in-law of outgoing Mbizana local municipality mayor Makhaya Twabu – spent 16 hours locked inside the boot of her forest green Chevrolet Cruze before she was rescued after a dramatic car chase on Thursday morning.
Eastern Cape police said the 41-year-old secondary school teacher had been returning to her Ludeke location home in Bizana from work when she was accosted by three young men.
Police spokesman Captain Mlungisi Matidane said the men pointed a 9mm pistol at her, shortly after 4pm.
“She found three males aged between 18 and 23 waiting for her in her house. Upon entering they covered her mouth and ordered her not to scream or else they will kill her,” Matidane said.
The suspects had then demanded money from Twabu.
“She was in possession of R200 but they wanted more. They ordered her to call her husband and ask for money,” Matidane said.
Twabu called her husband and the suspects spoke to him directly.
“They demanded that he deposit R10000 in his wife’s bank account or else they will kill her,” Matidane said.
He said Mpumelelo Twabu had transferred the money as ordered and then rushed to the nearest police station to report the matter.
“The suspects then shoved the woman in her Chevrolet Cruze and drove with her away from the location,” Matidane said.
He said they had driven to the Kokstad CBD where they went to an ATM to withdraw the money. After numerous incorrect attempts at trying to put in the bank card’s pin, the card was deactivated.
Mpumelelo said his wife had given her kidnappers the correct pin code.
“I think they got it wrong. When the card deactivated they called me. They were very angry. I begged them not to hurt my wife and said that I will make another plan.
“They then suggested that I find cash for a drop-off site. I agreed and they drove back to Bizana to come fetch it,” Twabu said.
While on their way to Bizana, the suspects were spotted in eMaXesibeni (formerly Mount Ayliff) on Thursday morning by police who then gave chase.
Police said the suspects had removed the provincial registration plate and replaced it with a Gauteng one.
The car was abandoned at Sgidini village and the suspects fled on foot.
Police managed to apprehended the men in a nearby bush and a 9mm pistol was recovered from the car.
Twabu was rescued from the boot.
The men are due to appear in the Bizana Magistrate’s Court on Monday to face charges of kidnapping and hijacking.
Mpumelelo yesterday expressed his gratitude to everyone who assisted in the safe return of his wife.
Police did not believe the incident was in any way related to the recent local government elections. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
IEC manager's wife in kidnap ordeal
Twabu – the sister-in-law of outgoing Mbizana local municipality mayor Makhaya Twabu – spent 16 hours locked inside the boot of her forest green Chevrolet Cruze before she was rescued after a dramatic car chase on Thursday morning.
Eastern Cape police said the 41-year-old secondary school teacher had been returning to her Ludeke location home in Bizana from work when she was accosted by three young men.
Police spokesman Captain Mlungisi Matidane said the men pointed a 9mm pistol at her, shortly after 4pm.
“She found three males aged between 18 and 23 waiting for her in her house. Upon entering they covered her mouth and ordered her not to scream or else they will kill her,” Matidane said.
The suspects had then demanded money from Twabu.
“She was in possession of R200 but they wanted more. They ordered her to call her husband and ask for money,” Matidane said.
Twabu called her husband and the suspects spoke to him directly.
“They demanded that he deposit R10000 in his wife’s bank account or else they will kill her,” Matidane said.
He said Mpumelelo Twabu had transferred the money as ordered and then rushed to the nearest police station to report the matter.
“The suspects then shoved the woman in her Chevrolet Cruze and drove with her away from the location,” Matidane said.
He said they had driven to the Kokstad CBD where they went to an ATM to withdraw the money. After numerous incorrect attempts at trying to put in the bank card’s pin, the card was deactivated.
Mpumelelo said his wife had given her kidnappers the correct pin code.
“I think they got it wrong. When the card deactivated they called me. They were very angry. I begged them not to hurt my wife and said that I will make another plan.
“They then suggested that I find cash for a drop-off site. I agreed and they drove back to Bizana to come fetch it,” Twabu said.
While on their way to Bizana, the suspects were spotted in eMaXesibeni (formerly Mount Ayliff) on Thursday morning by police who then gave chase.
Police said the suspects had removed the provincial registration plate and replaced it with a Gauteng one.
The car was abandoned at Sgidini village and the suspects fled on foot.
Police managed to apprehended the men in a nearby bush and a 9mm pistol was recovered from the car.
Twabu was rescued from the boot.
The men are due to appear in the Bizana Magistrate’s Court on Monday to face charges of kidnapping and hijacking.
Mpumelelo yesterday expressed his gratitude to everyone who assisted in the safe return of his wife.
Police did not believe the incident was in any way related to the recent local government elections. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
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