In a tale that sounds more like a Hollywood drama than real life, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) Deputy President Nqabayomzi Kwankwa found himself the star of an unexpected adventure on Tuesday, 18 June.
Kwankwa, fresh from a haircut, was en route to the airport to travel to Pretoria for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s inauguration when he was abducted by armed men in Driftsands, Mfuleni.
One can only imagine the scene: Kwankwa, with his freshly trimmed hair, suddenly finds himself in the clutches of armed men. Apparently not up-to-date on their political figures, the kidnappers first attempted to withdraw money from an ATM with Kwankwa in tow. This plan was quickly foiled by the presence of security personnel, forcing the kidnappers to go for a more straightforward approach – a ransom demand.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa confirmed the incident, stating that a R10,000 ransom was demanded and promptly paid to secure Kwankwa’s release. “Kwankwa was ambushed and abducted. They took his car and all his belongings,” said Holomisa. “The UDM paid the ransom, and Mr. Kwankwa was safely released, albeit shaken and traumatised.”
The kidnappers used Kwankwa’s cell phone to make the ransom demand, which the UDM was quick to pay following threats from the kidnappers that, “If you delay, you will find him in a mortuary,” said Holomisa. “We’re happy at least that he’s alive; we have saved his life quickly because anything could’ve happened. We didn’t want to get involved in delaying paying this amount of money”.
“Kwankwa is now safe and recovering from the ordeal. His family has been informed, and we are grateful for his safe return,” added Holomisa.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed that the Western Cape Anti-Kidnapping Multidisciplinary Task Team, comprising Organised Crime Investigation and Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) investigators, is investigating the incident.
While shaken by the event, the UDM expressed its immense gratitude for his safe return. “We wish Tshawe well on his road to recovery from this dastardly incident,” Holomisa said. Due to this harrowing ordeal, Kwankwa will not attend President Ramaphosa’s inauguration.
The outgoing Police Minister Bheki Cele noted, “The kidnapping of public figures and influential individuals is a growing concern.”
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on bringing the perpetrators to justice and ensuring our politicians can travel without starring in their own action movies.
