A 55-YEAR-old school principal and businesswoman who was kidnapped by armed men from her home in Mkhazini near KwaMakhutha on April 12, was rescued the next day in Inanda township in the west of Durban.

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According to her son, Sihle Mthembu, Nelisiwe Nzimande had arrived home at around 20:00 from Umlazi, where she owns a shop. He said while the domestic helper was opening the gate for her to drive in, three men pounced on them and demanded money at gunpoint.

“When she gave them the day’s takings from the shop, they said it was not enough and demanded more,” said Mthembu.

He said the men then took them indoors, locked young children in the bedroom, and ransacked the house. After they found no more money, he said they took a TV, cellphones and kidnapped his mother. They also took her bakkie’s keys after they failed to drive it.

According to information made available the following day, the matter was reported to the KwaMakhutha police, who launched an investigation. Working with Inanda police station’s officers, investigations led to the discovery of a criminal hideout in Inanda, Newtown, on April 13, where Nzimande was found. She was reportedly found alone, sitting on a mattress with her hands bound and her kidnappers had fled. The stolen TV was also found in the house.

Nzimande was taken for a medical examination and the police have launched a manhunt for the suspects.

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