The information comes from police insiders.
Men who kidnapped Nkangala municipal manager Maggie Skosana and her driver are allegedly demanding a ransom of R2-million.
Police sources have told 013NEWS how they have heard a message from the kidnappers which told them that if they want the two women released then R2-million would have to be paid upfront.
Skosana and her female driver Gugu Mtsweni were kidnapped outside the Nkangala district municipal offices in Middelburg Thursday morning 20 October 2022 by unknown men in police clothes and carrying the type of rifles used by cops when dealing with dangerous criminals.
Organisers of the R2-million who wish to see her safe return are startled at the demand and don’t know how they will pull it through.
“We don’t know where to put the money they want and we don’t know whether she will in fact be released once the money is handed over and we don’t know anything, we are so frustrated,” one of the sources said, quite emotionally when speaking to the reporter.
Meanwhile, Sowetan reports that that Skosana’s laptop was stolen in August 2022 and this was never reported to cops.
The cops said they will check if the laptop theft has anything to do with the kidnapping.
Other police sources claimed Monday 24 October 2022 that the money demanded by the kidnappers has increased from R2-million to R5-million but spokesman Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said they are not aware of such.
“We have not received any official confirmation that there was a ransom money demanded,” Mohlala told the reporter Monday morning.
A civil engineer by profession, Skosana has been at the helm of the municipality for over seven years and garnered up a reputation as a no-nonsense manager who strives for excellence in governance while the municipality has received numerous clean audits under her leadership.
Senior leaders of the ANC have also expressed shock at the incident and how brazenly is was executed.
“What is most worrying is why did they leave her wheelchair behind, its means these people have no good intentions because wherever she is she probably can’t even move, she also doesn’t have her medication with her. We don’t want to fear the worst but we are at a loss for words. This is a bad situation but we continue to pray for her safe return,” a member of the ANC’s PEC said on Monday.
Anyone with information or who may have witnessed something relating to her kidnapping is called upon to contact the Middelburg SAPS on 013 249 1600 or Lieutenant-Colonel Mandla Motha on 082 462 2746 or the police’s crime stop number on 08600 10111.
(edited by MLM)
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