Kidnapped women share their ordeal

AFTER finding that other middle-aged women were falling victim to a syndicate, that abduct and assault women and hold them hostage while withdrawing and spending their money, surfaced on social media, two women who had been kidnapped from malls in Bluff decided to share their story.

Hoping that by revealing the modus operandi of a syndicate they believe preys on those who are retired and alone, the women, who will not be named due to safety reasons, said they still suffer trauma related to the incidents, which happened on separate occasions.

Mary Naidoo* and Sheila Govender*, both in their 60’s, said they felt the need to speak out so that residents are aware of the tactics criminals use to lure unsuspecting victims. Govender was kidnapped a week prior to Naidoo and both women bonded and formed a friendship after they were put in touch with each other by the police, following the kidnappings. Just as Naidoo engaged in the small talk gestured by one of the women in the syndicate, Govender too could not help but reply to the friendly woman.

“I was told about a shop which sells dresses after engaging with the woman, and was lured to the rooftop of the mall, where a man and woman approached us in a vehicle. The male, who was driving, produced a police badge and told me that I am under investigation and I needed to jump into the vehicle. Without thinking, I jumped into the car and the woman who had been talking to me, also jumped into the vehicle. I was told not to scream or shout or else I would be assaulted,” said Govender.

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When she provided the wrong pin code to her bank card, she was assaulted and strangled with a scarf. After numerous withdrawals and purchases, she was thrown out of the vehicle in Jacobs. A truck driver helped her call her family members, who fetched her. Both women said they were lucky to be alive.

“We followed up with police after we opened cases and found that one of the woman involved was apprehended. She is currently out on bail and we hope that police are closely monitoring the situation. Hearing of another incident brings back the trauma, which is difficult to deal with. We both have been each other’s comfort and strength as we bonded through the trauma of what we went through. We urge others to be more aware of their surroundings, and to not shop alone as one easily falls prey to crime when one is alone. Malls need to step up their security and residents need to be aware that there are people watching you, waiting to pounce as soon as you drop your guard,” said the women.

ALSO READ: Parents…Here’s your definitive anti-kidnapping guide

On Monday, March 21, a 55-year-old woman was kidnapped from a mall in Bluff. The woman’s son, Max Dlamini*, said two men and two women lured his unsuspecting mum while posing as police officers. “They said they were conducting an investigation. They have a stolen police badge or a replica of one. They forced her bank pin from her while she was under duress, and robbed her of her valuables. She was dropped off in uMlazi, hours later. She did not want to open a case at the police station,” said Dlamini. *Names have been changed to protect the identity of the victims.

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