Update: 27 September 2024
Alize van der Merwe, who was abducted while travelling alone in the Eastern Cape last Friday, has been safely released, reports News24.
Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, confirmed that Van der Merwe and another woman were dropped off at a police station in Sulenkama on Thursday.
The ordeal deeply shook both women and have since been taken to a hospital for medical evaluation and trauma support.
Only a few days after Alize van der Merwe was abducted while travelling alone in the Eastern Cape, a ransom demand has been made for her, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Also read: Hawks investigate kidnapping of Cape Town woman
Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana stated on Tuesday that details of the ransom demand could not be released, according to News24.
‘Her vehicle was reportedly found abandoned not far from the resort,’ Mhlakuvana said.
‘Later on, the reports indicated that the family received phone calls from the suspects demanding a ransom. The victim has not yet been found at the moment. The Hawks are investigating a kidnapping case, and the police are working around the clock to rescue the victim unharmed. The investigation is still ongoing.’
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He added that tere are no new developments at the moment.
According to reports, the 39-year-old was on her way to the Umngazi Resort when she was ‘accosted and abducted’
A Toyota Fortuner that she was renting was later discovered abandoned not far from the resort.
According to a statement from Specialised Security Services (SSS), Van der Merwe last interacted with her family at 11:30am on Friday, when she mentioned that she was going to stop at the Shell Ultra City in Mthatha.
‘At approximately 3:30pm (on Friday), the family received a call informing them that Alize had been kidnapped. No further details were provided. Tracking data indicates that the vehicle was abandoned between Dumasi and [the] Umngazi Resort,’ SSS said.
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Mhlakuvana said the manhunt for the kidnappers would continue.
‘The police are working around the clock to rescue the victim unharmed. The investigation is ongoing,’ Mhlakuvana said.
Provincial Hawks head, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, said anyone who has information about the incident could contact their nearest police station.
Also read:
Arrests made in Steenberg kidnapping, victim’s body discovered
Picture: Andre Snyman eblockwatch / Facebook
