The United Democratic Movement has confirmed that it had to pay a R10,000 ransom to kidnappers for the release of UDM Deputy President Nqabayomzi Kwankwa.
Kwankwa, who is an MP, was kidnapped while he was on his way to Pretoria for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s inauguration ceremony.
UDM president Bantu Holomisa said: “We are relieved that UDM Deputy President Nqabayomzi Kwankwa is safe after being kidnapped and robbed today. We wish him well in recovering from this ordeal.”
The party said Kwankwa was hijacked on his way to the Cape Town International Airport on Tuesday.
“The United Democratic Movement would like to confirm that its Deputy President, Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP, was kidnapped today on his way to Cape Town Airport en route to the Presidential inauguration. A ransom of R10,000 was demanded for his safe return.”
The party said it immediately paid the ransom, and Kwankwa was safely released, “albeit shaken and traumatised”.
All his belongings, including his vehicle, were stolen but the vehicle was later found abandoned.
“Mr Kwankwa is in contact with the police and his family has been informed of what has occurred.
“The UDM is saddened by this horrific event, but is very grateful for his safe return. We wish Tshawe well on his road to recovery from this dastardly act.”
The kidnapping of the MP is the latest in a string of kidnappings in Cape Town where business owners are often targeted and ransom demanded from their families.
Police said there have been incidents where kidnapping strategies similar to those in Cape Town have been recorded in Gauteng.
Pictured above: Nqabayomzi Kwankwa.
Source: X
