WELL KNOWN actor, comedian and TikTok star Simthande Myeza, better known by his stage name MakaTha, is in recovery after he was allegedly kidnapped, assaulted and robbed by an e-hailing driver and his accomplices after booking a ride from Umbilo on Tuesday, June 17.

On Thursday evening, his family issued a statement confirming that the actor was back home and recovering from the ordeal in a safe place. According to family spokesperson, Lomsongaka Myeza, Simthande had booked a ride via an e-hailing service and was picked up by an African male who began acting suspicious after the actor boarded the vehicle.

He said, “Realising that the car was taking a strange route, Simthande asked the driver to make a U-turn. The driver got agitated and eventually stopped the car, and that is when two other African males approached the car – one had a gun and pointed it at Simthande.”

A terrified Simthande was then allegedly blindfolded and taken to an unknown location where he was robbed and held for ransom. “They accessed his phone and cleaned his bank account of every cent that he had,” said Myeza. “Upon realising who he is, they went on to make phone calls to his family, colleagues and friends, demanding a ransom. When they got the money, they stripped him of his clothes and took pictures and videos while forcing Simthande to perform despicable acts.”

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The family said Simthande was eventually released in the early hours of Wednesday morning, after the suspects allegedly confirmed his address and ordered him an e-hailing ride. They allegedly threatened to harm him and his family if he reported the matter to the police.

A case, however, was opened with the police. According to police spokesperson, Robert Netshiunda, the case was opened with Umbilo SAPS. He said, “Umbilo police are investigating a case of kidnapping following an incident in which a 28-year-old man was reportedly kidnapped in Umbilo on Tuesday night, June 17.

“It is reported that the victim requested services of an e-hailing vehicle, however, the driver drove towards a different direction and along the way, two other men got into the vehicle and the three men took the victim to a house where he was reportedly made to withdraw an undisclosed amount of money, and was also forced to solicit money from family and friends.”

No arrests have been made as yet.

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