Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) MPL and ANC Ekurhuleni regional deputy co-ordinator Moipone Mhlongo has been found after she was kidnapped in Daveyton last night.
A person by the name of Mfundo Ngqabishe-Clock took to social media platform, Facebook to post a picture of a car and stated that Mhlongo had been kidnapped about 7pm in Etwatwa, Ekurhuleni.
“Moipone Mhlongo has just been kidnapped with this car around 7pm in Etwatwa Barcelona. Please be on the lookout and help us find her,” said Ngqabishe-Clock in a post.
Another person said on WhatsApp: “Can you please assist us in locating Moipone Mhlongo MPL at GPL and ANC Ekurhuleni regional deputy coordinator has just been kidnapped with this car around 7pm in Etwatwa Barcelona. Please Be on the Lookout and help us find her”.
Law enforcement agencies such as Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), SAPS, and community-fighting groups such as Yizo Yizo contacted the masses to find Mhlongo.
Within minutes of her reported missing, a source in the City of Ekurhuleni informed The Star that Mhlongo’s vehicle had been recovered while she was nowhere to be found. Moments later the source confirmed that she had been found. According to the source, Mhlongo was found by EMPD and Tracker. Gauteng Provincial SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said they are verifying this information.
The ANC Ekurhuleni Region today, confirmed that Mhlongo was hijacked and kidnapped in Etwatwa, Daveyton last night.
ANC Ekurhuleni regional task team co-ordinator Jongizizwe Dlabathi said: “Even though we are alarmed by the incident of car hijacking and kidnapping, we are relieved that she has been found unharmed and her car was also recovered abandoned in Daveyton.”
Dlabathi said after an aggressive search by the Provincial Intelligence jointly with Daveyton SAPS Management, Mhlongo was found to have been dropped off at an undisclosed location.
“We wish to commend the law enforcement agencies for acting swiftly in recovering her car and ensuring that she returns unharmed. Sadly, this happens as we just concluded Women’s Month, the month that is used to highlight and address the scourge of abuse against women and children.
“We appeal to the law enforcers to do everything possible to bring the perpetrators to book. Such individuals do not deserve any space in our society, and at this moment, we trust that the law enforcement agencies will soon make an arrest of these perpetrators,” Dlabathi said.
He thanked the law enforcers and other private security operations that assisted..
The GPL portfolio committee on community safety said it learned with deep concern the kidnapping of Mhlongo who serves as one of the youngest Members of the provincial legislature and as chairperson of the portfolio committee on education.
Mhlongo was tragically hijacked and abducted in Ekurhuleni under circumstances that remain unclear.
The committee said it is relieved that Mhlongo was found safe after enduring an extremely traumatic ordeal with senseless criminals.
Chairperson of the portfolio committee on community safety Bandile Masuku said they would like to express gratitude to law enforcement agencies, security personnel and everyone who contributed towards her safe return.
Masuku said their swift and tireless efforts were instrumental in bringing this traumatic event to a peaceful conclusion.
He said the committee thanked the public who upon learning about this ordeal, shared details of this incident on social media platforms to ensure that every effort was made to locate her and bring her home safely to her family.
“The committee wishes Mhlongo well as she recovers from this traumatic experience and would like to see her back in action as she continues her vital work as an MPL and serving the people of Gauteng,” Masuku said.
He said while the committee was immensely relieved by Mhlongo’s safe return, it is deeply concerned about the broader implications of such heinous acts of criminality.
“Acts of violence and intimidation have no place in our society and law enforcement agencies should not be deterred in their pursuit of justice and peace. The unprecedented rise in violent crimes, including extortion, armed robberies and hijackings continue to create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity that can no longer be ignored in our communities.”
“At times like this, decisive action is required to restore law and order, protect lives and prevent further deterioration of safety across various communities.”
Masuku said it is for this reason that the committee would like to resuscitate the discussion on the declaration of a state of emergency to empower the government to deploy additional resources to support the police in combating crime.
The Star