A multi-disciplinary team has been mobilised to investigate the kidnapping of Alize van der Merwe, who was travelling from East London along the N2 on her way to a resort near Port St Johns on the Wild Coast.
This is according to Andre Snyman from eblockwatch. He says Van Der Merwe, who is from Durbanville in Cape Town, rented a white Toyota Fortuner (registration LX73KLGP) from a car hire company and left East London yesterday, travelling alone on the N2 to the resort.
“Her last communication with her family was around 11:30 when she mentioned she was planning to stop, likely at the Shell Ultra City in Mthatha (N2).
“At approximately 15:13, the family received a call informing them that Alize had been kidnapped. No further details were provided,” he adds.
At this stage, tracking data indicates that the vehicle was abandoned between Dumasi and the resort, he says.
Caxton Local Media has been unable to confirm details of the incident with the Eastern Cape police, but Snyman says eblockwatch has made contact with the highly skilled team that is investigating the kidnapping.
“Her parents have confirmed that the car was found abandoned in the Transkei, and a search is in progress.
“We are mobilising eblockwatch members across the country to assist, particularly in the Transkei area. Our network is actively gathering more information and co-ordinating efforts,” he adds.
According to Snyman, the kidnapping of tourists is a growing concern. “I have heard that there have been six incidents in the Eastern Cape in the past week alone,” he adds.
Snyman says he has requested meetings with various tourism authorities to put mechanisms in place to assist tourists who need assistance. “Unfortunately, I have hit a stonewall,” he says.
On August 30, at the release of the quarterly crime statistics. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said that ‘135 cases of kidnapping for ransom were recorded in the first quarter, with Gauteng and KZN accounting for 81 and 15 cases, respectively’.
No other information was available at the time of publishing. Updates will be provided by eblockwatch on its Facebook page.
Caxton Local Media reached out to Eastern Cape spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa but she was unable to comment at the time of publishing.
If you have information, please contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or SMS the Crime Line at 32211. Alternatively, call eblockwatch on 082 561 1065.
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