Durban - The Nkangala District Municipality manager and her driver, who were reportedly kidnapped a week ago, were both found alive in Diepsloot in Gauteng on Wednesday night.
The Mercury reported yesterday that Margaret Skosana, the Nkangala municipal manager, and Gugu Mtsweni, her driver, were allegedly kidnapped outside the municipal buildings in Middleburg on October 20, by men impersonating police officers.
Nelspruit police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli said it was alleged that both victims were reportedly dumped by their assailants in the bushes near the N14 in Diepsloot.
“It is said that the driver was tied with some ropes but she somehow managed to manoeuvre herself to the road. A taxi driver saw her as she was looking for help. She related the story to the taxi driver who immediately informed the police.”
Mdhluli said the police went to the bushes where they found the municipal manager.
“After going to Diepsloot police station, the two victims were taken to hospital and later, reunited with their families in the early hours of this morning on Thursday, 27 October 2022,” he said.
Police said the kidnappers remained at large.
Mdhluli said the women were attacked by men in a white sedan at the gates of the municipality before they could drive into the premises.
He said both vehicles were seen driving away, one behind the other.
“Soon after the incident was reported, the provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, immediately assembled resources, then established an investigation team consisting of experts in the field of investigation to ensure that the two victims were brought back safe and alive,” he said.
Mdhluli said the victim's vehicle was recovered on the same day of the kidnapping. It has been abandoned in one of the mines in Middelburg.
The municipal manager’s wheelchair, as well as other properties of the victims, were also recovered, together with the abandoned vehicle, he said.
He said the team worked around the clock on the case, with Mpumalanga police collaborating with members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) in Gauteng.
“Manamela has expressed her gratitude to all members from both the Gauteng DPCI and Mpumalanga, as well as the taxi driver, who was a Good Samaritan upon seeing the municipal manager's driver calling for help.” Mdhluli said.
Manamela also thanked everyone who contributed to the investigation, as well as the support received from police management, the Office of the Premier in Mpumalanga and members of the public.
This week the eThekwini Municipality mayor Mxolisi Kaunda had called for the safe return of the missing municipal manager, during an executive committee.
Kaunda said the situation in Mpumalanga had touched him personally because he had met the municipal manager when she had applied for the post of eThekwini municipal manager.