[Image: Musa Mathebula / Facebook]
There is still no sign of 64-year-old Lindsay Knowlden, who was kidnapped at her place of work in Gqeberha on Saturday morning.
Knowlden and her husband arrived at the Fresh Produce Market, confronted by two armed men driving a white Toyota Fortuner.
The husband, who tried to fight, was pistol-whipped and sustained a cut above his left eye.
The kidnappers forced Knowlden into a Polo with cloned number plates and sped off in the direction of Motherwell.
Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana told Algoa FM News that a ransom demand has been made, and therefore, they are now dealing with the investigation.
Atlas Security, which was first on the scene, said in a statement on Facebook that their team responded immediately after being alerted in the early hours of Saturday morning.
“We are aware that the Hawks have received a ransom demand for Lindsay’s safe return. The case is now in the hands of the Hawks and SAPS, and Atlas Security will continue to cooperate fully with all role players as the investigation unfolds,” the statement read.
“Our thoughts are with Lindsay’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. We urge anyone with information to contact SAPS.”
While the kidnapping has sent shockwaves through the Nelson Mandela Bay community, frustrated business owners, whose businesses are under threat from protection rackets, have been calling for improved security in that area for more than two years.
Markman Business Forum spokesperson Graham Taylor said on Sunday, “We have been battling now for close on two years, and you almost get the feeling that the municipality is trying its best to avoid us.”
He said that to the municipality’s credit, it had tried to improve the security at the Fresh Produce market and had built a wall around the facility.
“But personally, I have never seen security guards there. The problem is that it remains completely accessible from the back,” Taylor said.
“Businesses have the solution, but people need to start listening.” He said that as a result of the deteriorating security situation in the area, the cost of business had shot up. Some businesses now had to pay R300,000 a month for security.
The Fresh Produce Market is a Nelson Mandela Bay municipal facility, but by last night, municipal spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya had not responded to questions about security measures there.
Earlier this month, Sanral construction manager Victor Ngcobo was kidnapped from Addo Road, 3km from the latest abduction. He was released unharmed.
In April, American missionary Josh Sullivan was kidnapped from a church a mere 5km from Markman Industrial. He was freed by the police after they found his kidnappers in the process of moving him. Three men who had held him were killed in a shootout.
