Family offers reward for info on kidnapped Westville mum, Sandra Moonsamy
News of a reward being offered for information leading to the whereabouts of Sandra Moonsamy was confirmed to the Highway Mail on Tuesday morning by a family member.
TODAY marks the sixth day since Thursday evening when Westville mother of two, Sandra Moonsamy was taken in a hail of gunfire while driving home from work.
And unfortunately, there have been few updates forthcoming from the Hawks who are investigating Moonsamy’s disappearance.
No further developments had been released to the media until the news of the reward was sent out on Tuesday morning.
Even this development has received no comment from Hawks KZN spokesman, Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo.
Meanwhile, Moonsamy’s family are becoming increasingly desperate about her safety.
“All we are concerned about is that Sandra is returned safely. We will be offering a reward to anyone who comes forward with information that results in us locating her. We are continuing to pray for her safety and well-being and hope that she will be returned to her children soon.”
These are the words of Moonsamy’s brother, Inderan Naicker, speaking on behalf of the Naicker family on Tuesday via the digital agency, Condriac.
Keshia Patchiappen, CEO of Condriac, and also a member of Moonsamy’s family, confirmed to the Highway Mail on Tuesday morning that the reward being offered is legitimate.
Previous social media posts circulating about rewards being offered were unconfirmed.
ALSO READ: SAPS offer tips to survive a carjacking following attack on Taxify driver in Queensburgh
When Moonsamy’s disappearance hit social media spheres she was initially incorrectly named Sandra Naicker, from Crossmoor Transport which has its head-office in Pinetown.
She was later identified by news reports as Sandra Moonsamy who is employed by the company. It was also confirmed that she is related to the owners.
The Highway Mail contacted Crossmoor Transport but the man who answered would not confirm nor deny that she was an employee at the company at that time.
On Friday morning Reaction Unit South Africa posted an appeal for information on its Facebook page with a picture of the missing woman.
“Sandra’s black Range Rover was found in Stapleton Road in Pinetown – KZN at approximately 6.30pm. The vehicle was found with two bullet holes in the window on the driver’s side and the left front passenger window was smashed in,” said the post.
“According to a witness, several males in a silver VW Golf, a white hatchback BMW and a bakkie forced the businesswoman off the road. They then fired shots at the driver’s window when she locked herself in. Other suspects damaged the left window with the butt of a firearm and forced her out. She was then pushed into a vehicle and driven away.”
“The victim’s handbag and phone were left at the scene. The Westville resident has not been seen or heard from since. Reaction Officers and SAPS members are following up on leads,” they said.
“If you have any information on this incident call Reaction Unit South Africa on 086 123 4333.”
ALSO READ: Hawks now in driving seat of Westville woman’s kidnapping investigation
Investigators from a variety of crime-fighting organisations and networks are assisting in following leads probing the abduction of Sandra from her vehicle in Stapleton Road on the evening of Thursday, 30 May.
Listen to how Blue Security spokesman, Andreas Mathios, representing many of the Pinetown neighbourhood watches, described the scene he came across on Thursday evening:
Captain Bongumusa Manqele of Pinetown SAPS confirmed on Saturday morning the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, the Hawks, had taken over the investigation of the alleged kidnapping.
Reports circulated over the weekend that Sandra had been found were rubbished as untrue by the Hawks, who expressed anger over the way some “companies and individuals” were hampering the investigation with fake news reports.
Meanwhile, social media requests for prayer for Sandra’s safe return continue to be shared on Facebook, Twitter and community WhatsApp groups around Durban.
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