Kidnapping: Second hit on family

Although anxiety has apparently escalated after a second kidnapping which reportedly targeted the family of Anisah Moosa – who was taken hostage by attackers allegedly demanding millions in ransom a fortnight ago – the Hawks guaranteed that there is no reason for panic. Last week two women, confirmed to be Moosa’s relatives, were kidnapped in the Tzaneen area.
Asked for comment, Hawks spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said they had the situation under control. “That is why the kidnappers released the victims and fled last week. Community members need not press any panic button, but they must ensure that they are safe at all times.”
After a hostage ordeal that commenced two Tuesdays ago and came to an end in the early hours of that Friday, Moosa was reunited with her family. According to Netshiunda the description of her silver Audi hijacked in Nirvana at the time, had matched that of the car used in a kidnapping at Letsitele last Wednesday.
During the incident a 48-year-old woman and her 23-year-old daughter were allegedly taken. They were released unharmed the next day without the initial R1 million ransom demand – brought down to R200 000 – being paid, it was learnt. Netshiunda indicated that the victims in the latest incident had been driving in Letsitele when their vehicle was pulled over by the suspects before being kidnapped.
Confirming that the three victims were related he, however, said they couldn’t speculate whether the family was being targeted. “The kidnappers demanded ransom in both incidents. That suggests that they could be after money, but only the kidnappers themselves know the motive behind the kidnapping.”
According to Netshiunda they believed that the same group was responsible for both incidents. He stated that the Hawks did not know where the gang originated from. When asked about any possible international links, Netshiunda said until the kidnappers were arrested and a background check done the Hawks would not know.
Having approached Yusuf Abramjee, who is the spokesperson for the Moosa family and an anti-crime activist with the request for an interview with Anisah, Polokwane Observer was told that she would not grant one, save for saying that she was praying throughout while being held hostage. “The abductors allowed me to pray. My niqab (face cover) was never removed and they never asked me to take it off. I have faith in Allah (God) and He protected me.” Asked for safety-related advice to the community, she was quoted saying that one should always be alert.
During the telephonic interview Abramjee, who addressed crime-related issues during two community gatherings at mosques in the city and Nirvana shortly after Moosa’s release, raised the opinion of the possibility of one or two gangs operating in Limpopo. He was of the view that the kidnappings were no random attacks but clearly planned.
In earlier tweets on Limpopo abductions he also referred to a syndicate or two at work. In his posts he further mentioned the release of Moosa and the victims targeted in the second incident without paying the ransom of R1 million demanded by the gang.

Story: YOLANDE NEL
>>observer.yolande@gmail.com