PORT ELIZABETH
120 000 COPIES WEEKLY WEDNESDAY March 22, 2017 | 0 041 503 6111 | Email express@media24.com | www.peexpress.co.za |
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EDITOR: BETTIE GILIOMEE
SAPS warn about kidnapping CARALEE DORFLING
P
OLICE in Port Elizabeth sent out a stern warning last week that people should under no circumstances respond to the demands for money from kidnappers and should contact the police immediately. The request comes after a woman from KwaZakhele in Nelson Mandela Bay paid a large amount of money to people who had kid-
napped her husband last week, but the kidnappers did not return her husband to her. Captain André Beetge, police spokesperson, said the woman’s husband (48) was kidnapped last Wednesday at about 8:30pm in Zwide. The man was allegedly having a braai with a tavern owner in front of his house when four men arrived, overpowered him and forced him into a red bus and drove off. At 9pm, the kidnappers made contact with the man’s wife and demanded money for the
man’s safe return. The woman paid the ransom at 9am on Thursday as she was told, but the kidnappers had demanded a further sum of money. Beetge said the woman reported the incident at about 2:30pm that same day at the KwaZakhele Police Station. “The police responded immediately and began searching for the man.” He was found shortly after 4pm along Perserverance Road.
“He had been severely assaulted and rushed to the local provincial hospital.” The couple did not want to talk to the media or be identified out of fear of a revenge attack. Police urged the community to report similar incidents, as well as information leading to the arrest of the kidnappers. Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the kidnappers in this case should call Detective Warrant Officer Mzwandile Javu at 041 408 7812.
Ironman champion joins Kabega’s handwash campaign Ironman triathlon world champion Frederik van Lierde from Belgium visited Kabega Park Primary last Friday to show his support for the Dettol Handwash School Campaign. Van Lierde was the winner of the Standard Bank Ironman African Championship in 2015 and will be competing in the competition again in Nelson Mandela Bay on April 2 this year. The Dettol “Give Life a Hand” Schools programme educates children on the importance of a daily handwashing routine, using soap and running water. This programme aims to reach over 650 000 learners, educators and parents in 846 schools this year alone. With Mr Dettol (in front) are, Frederik van Lierde and Kabega Primary learners Riley Rundle (10), Anesu Janji (8), Ciona Warrecker (10) and James Jeffries (9). PHOTO:SUPPLIED
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