ANC councillor William Monty Phetla, who was arrested with three other men on charges of assault and kidnapping, earlier today attended a council sitting at the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.

Phetla, along with three other co-accused, appeared before the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

The four men are facing charges of assault and kidnapping stemming from an incident in which they allegedly abducted a 29-year-old domestic worker last Saturday.

The woman, who is pregnant, was accused of stealing the councillor’s laptop.

Middelburg Observer yesterday reported that attempts by investigators, trauma counsellors and the publication to get hold of the woman have been unsuccessful since the woman supposedly escaped from her involuntary incarceration on Monday night.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala says: “She was subjected to a severe assault with various objects, including a garden spade, before being confined to a room by the accused.”

The police in Mhluzi outside Middelburg managed to trace and apprehend the four men.

Phetla was granted bail of R3 000, while each of his co-accused received R500 bail.

The matter was adjourned to August 25.