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.
The Hawks in the Eastern Cape confirmed she was “safely reunited with her family in the early hours this morning”.
“The investigation remains ongoing and we continue to pursue all possible leads,” said W/O Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana.
“We urge anyone who may have information that could assist in the matter to come forward. Identities will be highly protected.”
It is believed Knowlden was not physically harmed.
Mhlakuvana said she has been “examined by medical professionals” adding: “We request the family be afforded privacy and time to process and recover from the distressing ordeal.”
Family spokesperson John Best told Algoa FM Knowlden was dropped off by her abductors soon after midnight in Kwanoxolo near Bethelsdorp.
He said she walked through the streets and called for help.
“A woman took her into her home and called her husband. It was an 89-hour ordeal, and the family are very happy she is united with them.”
TimesLIVE
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