Family of kidnapped Lindsay Knowlden praise Hawks

Daily Maverick

25-06-2025

Gqeberha resident Lindsay Knowlden was safely returned to her family early on Wednesday after being abducted at gunpoint from the Fresh Produce Market in Markman on Saturday. The incident has reignited urgent calls for improved security in the crime-ridden industrial area.
The family of kidnapping survivor Lindsay Knowlden, who was returned to her family on Wednesday morning, have praised the Hawks, the police, Atlas Security and the community for the 'massive efforts' to bring her home.
Knowlden was abducted by two armed men from the parking garage at the Fresh Produce Market in Markman Industrial early on Saturday morning, 21 June. A white Toyota Fortuner reportedly blocked the garage entrance while Knowlden was forced into a Volkswagen Polo and driven away. The getaway vehicle was later flagged on CCTV footage but had been fitted with cloned number plates.
Speaking on behalf of the family, family friend John Best said they were grateful to have Knowlden back. He said she was safe and not physically hurt. He added that the family appreciated the wide support they had received.
Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said: 'The Hawks in the Eastern Cape can confirm that a 65-year-old female victim, who was reportedly abducted on the morning of 21 June 2025 in Gqeberha, has been safely reunited with her family in the early hours of this morning. Following her recovery, the victim was examined by medical professionals. At this stage, we kindly request that the family be afforded the privacy and time they need to process and recover from this distressing ordeal.'
Mhlakuvana said the investigation remains ongoing and 'we continue to pursue all possible leads'.
He urged anyone who may have information that could assist in the matter to come forward, saying their identities would be protected. Andre Snyman from eBlockwatch, a community crime-fighting network, also confirmed Knowlden's safe return on Wednesday morning.
'To the police, private teams, community networks, and every person who shared, searched and stood together – thank you. This was a massive team effort. We are deeply grateful,' Snyman said in a social media post.
The news was also confirmed by Wayne Hart from Atlas Security, the private security provider for the couple's business, which was first on the scene.
The kidnapping has once again put the spotlight on the security concerns of business owners in Markman Industrial. For the past two years, members of the Markman Business Forum and business owners have been pleading with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality for improved security infrastructure, specifically a 300m fence to improve the safety of those who work in the area, spokesperson Graham Taylor said on Sunday.
Taylor said that a meeting had been held this month with acting city manager Ted Pillay and 'some commitments were made', adding that boundaries of Markman Industrial are incredibly porous.
'We are vulnerable on three sides of the area. We need a 300m fence. That corner where the Fresh Produce Market is has always been a problem,' he said.
He said that, to the municipality's credit, it had tried to improve the security at that market and had built a wall around the facility.
'But personally I have never seen security guards there. The problem is that it remains completely accessible from the back,' Taylor said.
He said the area was monitored by private security but urgently needed a fence.
'That way we can introduce proper access control.' He said that currently, anybody could enter the area.
Earlier this month, Sanral construction manager Victor Ngcobo was kidnapped from Addo Road, 3km from the latest abduction. He was released unharmed.
In April, American missionary Josh Sullivan was kidnapped from a church a mere 5km from Markman Industrial. He was freed by the police after they found his kidnappers in the process of moving him. Three men who had held him were killed in a shootout. DM