A 66-year-old woman endured a harrowing ordeal, being abducted, confined in a vehicle’s boot, stripped of her clothing, and robbed before her eventual release by her captors.
According to police reports, corroborated by Amajuba District SAPS Spokesperson, Constable Nonjabulo Langa, the incident transpired in May 2025.
The woman was seized by an unspecified number of men while she was walking along Newcastle Street in KwaMathakuza, near Madadeni in Newcastle, shortly after 11 am.
The assailants forcibly placed the woman into their vehicle’s boot and transported her to an undisclosed location. There, they divested her of her clothing, cash, and mobile phone. The perpetrators held her captive for several days, ultimately releasing her on Friday, 13 June 2025. Following her release, the Madadeni SAPS were notified, and a case of kidnapping was opened.
Furthermore, Constable Langa confirmed that no arrests have yet been made; however, the Madadeni SAPS are investigating the matter to apprehend those responsible for targeting the elderly woman.
As the investigation remains active, no further details could be disclosed.
As the police endeavour to apprehend the suspects, Constable Langa underscored the critical importance of increased police visibility in combating crime. She also implored community members to assume greater responsibility for the well-being of their elderly loved ones. “It is important to always accompany elderly community members into town and so forth, as they are vulnerable members of the community,” noted Constable Langa.
As further police investigations are underway, this incident is unfortunately not isolated within KwaZulu-Natal, a province that consistently reports significant crime figures. According to data released by Statistics South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal recorded 3,081 cases of kidnapping in the 2022/2023 financial year.
More recent analyses by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS Africa), drawing on South African Police Service (SAPS) crime registrar data for the 2023/2024 financial year, indicate that KwaZulu-Natal accounted for 20% of all reported kidnappings nationwide.
The ISS analysis further reveals that in KwaZulu-Natal, 55% of kidnappings are linked to aggravated robberies, such as car or truck hijackings or armed robberies at businesses, homes, or in public spaces, highlighting a significant modus operandi for these crimes in the province. For the 2024/2025 financial year, the SAPS reported 135 cases of kidnapping for ransom in the first quarter alone, with KwaZulu-Natal contributing 15 cases, underscoring the persistent challenge of this crime.
Nevertheless, with the above in mind, what are your thoughts? Share your views in the comment section below.
One Response
Newcastle has become a criminal Haven. There is absolutely no police presence or fear of the laws