logo
Kidnapped Gqeberha mom back home safely

Kidnapped Gqeberha mom back home safely

The Herald19 hours ago

The 65-year-old Gqeberha mother who was kidnapped in Markman industrial node on Saturday has been found and returned home safely.
Andre Snyman, founder of community safety and crime prevention organisation eblockwatch, which has been closely involved in the case, took to Facebook on Wednesday morning to announce that Lindsay Knowlden had since been found.
"After being kidnapped at gunpoint on Saturday morning at the Fresh Produce Market in Gqeberha, Lindsay Knowlden has been safely returned.
"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," the post read.
Knowlden arrived at work at the Markman Market fresh produce market at 6am on Saturday with her husband, when they were accosted by several assailants.
The Herald

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Two babies rescued after abduction from Gauteng health facilities
Two babies rescued after abduction from Gauteng health facilities

The Herald

time13 hours ago

  • The Herald

Two babies rescued after abduction from Gauteng health facilities

'Shockingly, the mother left her child on a changing table in the bathroom where an unknown woman offered to assist. Upon returning, both the woman and the infant were gone. The matter was immediately reported to the police. CCTV footage was reviewed and a photo of the suspect was circulated. As a result, the baby was found and returned safely to the family — and the suspect is now in police custody.' These incidents highlight the need for heightened vigilance when it comes to the care of children, said the department. 'We are seeing a trend where parents place their trust in strangers, often during vulnerable moments, within health facilities. While we strive to offer a safe and caring environment, we wish to emphasise the importance of vigilance and personal responsibility when it comes to the safety of children,' said Gauteng health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko. 'We urge all parents and guardians to never leave their children unattended. Do not entrust your baby to a stranger, no matter how friendly or helpful they may seem.' She said the parent or guardian should instead inform staff if they need assistance or must temporarily step away from the child. TimesLIVE

Life sentences for killers of ANC ward chairperson over tenders
Life sentences for killers of ANC ward chairperson over tenders

The Herald

time13 hours ago

  • The Herald

Life sentences for killers of ANC ward chairperson over tenders

On January 29 2020 Makhanya visited his sister in Verulam, north of Durban. It was at this time he befriended Hadebe. The court heard how the two, who were nabbed through a political task team, were linked through cellphone records. They pleaded not guilty to the charge. Though Hadebe had no previous convictions Makhanya, a grade 4 primary school dropout, was previously convicted of an attempted murder charge. He was a taxi conductor based at a Port Shepstone rank at the time of the murder. Balton said there were no compelling and exceptional circumstances which permitted her to deviate from the prescribed minimum life sentence. She found the pair were ruthless and had no regard for a human life. She said Hadebe was Magwaza's close friend but wanted to get a tender at all costs. Balton said the court could also not ignore submissions from the state on how a dying Magwaza had allegedly called out Hadebe to rescue him, not knowing he was the one behind his murder. He visited the Magwaza family to offer condolences. 'Magwaza's family trusted him, ' she said. Balton said the victim impact statement of Amahle Masikane, Magwaza's niece, demonstrated how her uncle's death disrupted her studies and forced her get a job at a call centre. She said the statement also portrayed the shock, grief and destruction the family endured after the murder. 'She [Masikane ] was shocked at seeing her uncle lying in a pool of blood.' The sentencing was not without drama as Hadebe told his lawyer Manoj Hardeo he wanted the proceedings postponed as he wanted to retain a new lawyer. Balton told Hadebe the matter was completed as he had been convicted. She advised Hadebe he should for apply for leave to appeal after sentencing. TimesLIVE

Family of kidnapped Lindsay Knowlden praise Hawks
Family of kidnapped Lindsay Knowlden praise Hawks

Daily Maverick

time13 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

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store