Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, has noted with concern the increasing number of kidnapping incidents of women and children in Gauteng.
In the latest incident, a 30-year-old woman was kidnapped on 16 November at Ivory Park, Tembisa after boarding a Toyota Avanza to school to write an examination.
The woman was allegedly kidnapped by two men, a driver and passenger.
On the way, said Nkosi-Malobane, the driver of the taxi allegedly proposed to the woman and also touched her on numerous occasions with the help of the passenger.
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Upon the woman resisting and not acceding to their demands she was then taken to Soul City informal settlement in Kagiso, West Rand, she said.
The woman was found at around 3 o’clock on Saturday morning and taken to hospital for medical attention. Upon arrival, the medical doctors couldn’t confirm any incident of rape and the woman was subsequently released to re-unite with her family in Tembisa, said the MEC.
“I am very concerned about the rate of kidnapping cases of women and children by senseless criminals within our province,” she said.
“This latest incident happens in the backdrop of my department hosting a taxi summit following similar incidents of kidnapping, robberies and rape within the taxi industry. It is also happening as we approach the 16 Days of Activism on no Violence against Women and Children Campaign.”
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We cannot allow women and children to be subjected to this type of abuse and degradation, added Nkosi-Malobane.
The MEC has instructed the investigation team to work around the clock to make a breakthrough on this case.
She further urged Gauteng citizens who might have information regarding this kidnapping case to report it to the authorities.
Details: HLULANI.MASHABA@gauteng.gov.za
