Kidnapped Gqeberha resident is back with her family
A 65-year-old Gqeberha woman who was kidnapped after arriving for work at a fresh produce market at the weekend is back home with her family.
"Lindsay Knowlden has been safely returned," Andre Snyman, founder of community safety organisation eblockwatch, said on Facebook early on Wednesday.
"To the police, private teams, community networks and every person who shared, searched and stood together, thank you. This was a massive team effort."
Atlas Security, which was called out to the kidnapping at the weekend, confirmed: "We are pleased to report Lindsay Knowlden has been reunited with her family."
Knowlden was abducted from the underground parking lot at the Markman fresh produce market at 6am on Saturday.
Her husband Peter, who tried to fight the two assailants, was pistol-whipped and sustained a cut above his eyes, according to Snyman.
Knowlden was forced into a Polo with cloned number plates.
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The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Kidnapped Gqeberha woman reunited with family
A 65-year-old woman who was kidnapped outside the Nelson Mandela Bay Fresh Produce Market in Markman over the weekend has been safely reunited with her family. Lindsay Knowlden, who was abducted on Saturday morning, was found alive and unharmed around 21.5km away in Bethelsdorp around midnight on Tuesday night. Family spokesperson John Best confirmed on Wednesday morning that Knowlden had been dropped off on a street where she called out for help. A local family heard her cries and took her in before alerting authorities and her husband. 'She just called out for help, and a family took her in,' said Best. Knowlden and her husband, who is an agent at the produce market, were accosted by armed men in the underground parking area shortly after they arrived for work. During the attack, her husband was assaulted with a firearm, sustaining a laceration to his eye, while Knowlden was forcibly taken in a silver VW Polo. Best confirmed that a ransom was demanded, although he declined to disclose further details due to the sensitive nature of the investigation. The case is currently being investigated by the Hawks, South Africa's Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation. At the time of publishing, Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana had not yet provided an official comment. Knowlden reportedly told her family that she had been held by five men. Her doctor has since examined her and confirmed that she is in good physical health. The news of Knowlden's safe return has sparked gratitude among loved ones and residents alike, many of whom followed the case closely since Saturday. While the motive and further details remain unclear, her family has expressed relief and thanks to the community and law enforcement for their support. Further updates from authorities are expected as investigations continue. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Daily Maverick
2 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Family of kidnapped Lindsay Knowlden praise Hawks
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
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
Kidnapped Gqeberha woman Lindsay Knowlden back with family
Lindasy was kidnapped from the Markmam Fresh Produce Market in Markman Industrial Area in Gqeberha. A 65-year-old woman who was kidnapped in the Eastern Cape has been reunited with her family. Lindsay Knowlden was returned home on Wednesday. 'Lindsay Knowlden has been safely returned,' Andre Snyman, founder of community safety organisation eBlockWatch, said on Facebook early on Wednesday. 'To the police, private teams, community networks and every person who shared, searched and stood together, thank you. This was a massive team effort.' Atlas Security, which was on the scene, was relieved that Lindsay had been found. 'We are pleased to report Lindsay Knowlden has been reunited with her family.' Kidnapping Lindasy was kidnapped from the Markmam Fresh Produce Market in Markman Industrial Area, Gqeberha, in the early hours of Saturday morning. The suspects attacked her husband, who is an agent at the market, and kidnapped Lindsay. A ransom was demanded for her return, but it's unclear if it was paid. Lindsay Knowlden has been freed. — Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) June 25, 2025 ALSO READ: Gauteng Traffic Police and Home Affairs immigration officers arrested for kidnapping and theft Kidnapper killed Last week, police shot and killed a Mozambican man wanted in connection with multiple kidnappings. Mauro Mucambe Junior had an outstanding arrest warrant issued in August 2024 by police in Maputo. The police's anti-kidnapping unit was tracing a kidnapped Pakistani businessman when they encountered the wanted 40-year-old at a residential complex in Fourways, Johannesburg, earlier this week. Arrest The operation began in Midrand, where officers seized a Mercedes-Benz and an SUV while securing the arrest of two kidnapping suspects. 'They proceeded to Fourways where the task team announced their arrival and a shoot-out ensued,' confirmed national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe. Following the incident, police identified the deceased suspect as a Mozambican kingpin wanted in connection with several kidnappings. Crime stats South Africa has one of the highest kidnapping rates in Africa, and the scourge continues According to the South African Police Services (Saps) 2023/2024 annual crime statistics, South Africa recorded 17 061 cases in April 2023 – March 2024. In just three months, the Saps further recorded 4205 cases between April 2024 and June 2024. ALSO READ: Police make breakthrough in search for kidnapped Kamogelo Baukudi
