Businesswoman Sandra Munsamy’s alleged captors were willing to wait a year for her family to come up with their $10m (R154m) ransom demand, in exchange for her safe return.
Munsamy, the CFO of the multibillion-rand Xmoor Transport family business empire, took the stand in the Durban high court this week in her ongoing kidnapping case, in which she testified against the four men charged with her 2019 capture and 162-day hostage ordeal.
Lucas John Ndlovu, 36, and Dumisani Radebe, 39, with Mozambicans Jose Omega Tembe, 38, and Arthur Da Silva Mondlane, 39, face charges of kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances and attempted extortion. Tembe and Mondlane face further charges of entering or remaining in SA without permits.
A recent investigation by Sunday Times Daily revealed Tembe and Mondlane were the “kingpins” behind two of SA’s biggest kidnapping gangs. The men lived a highflying lifestyle, with Tembe owning a property in Jackal Creek Golf Estate, one of Johannesburg’s most exclusive complexes.
Giving evidence via a camera link, the Westville mother of two detailed how “the boss” had instructed her to demand ransom from her family.
“The boss went on saying that he knew my family very well and he knew me well, and that I handle all the finances of the business. He went on by saying that my family was very wealthy, we had an account in Dubai and we had an account in Mauritius. He said they were looking for an amount of $10m and if my family don’t pay this money they will keep me for as long as one year.”
Munsamy said there were also threats to move her across the border.
“I told him we don’t have this kind of money because of the current situation in the country.”
During a call with her brother, Inderan Naicker, Munsamy made the demand.
“Inderan said we didn’t have that sort of money. He was taken aback because he knew we didn’t have this money. He was speechless. I told Inderan if we don’t give them this money they are going to keep home here for a year. It was on the same call that Inderan mentioned my mom and dad were very sick.”
During cross-examination by former national director of public prosecutions (NDPP) Mxolisi Nxasana, who represents Radebe and Tembe, it was revealed that Radebe was the man Munsamy had named Michael.
It was previously reported that Munsamy named two of her captors, tasked with taking care of her during her hostage ordeal, Michael and Gabriel.
Munsamy told Nxasana she did not see the faces of Michael or Gabriel during the 162 days she was held captive as the men wore balaclavas at all times.
She said she only saw Michael’s (Radebe) face once, on the night she was rescued.
“He had a scar on his face.”
When asked if she would recognise Michael if she saw him, Munsamy broke down in tears and said that was a road she never wanted to go down.
The trial has been set down until March 24. The state is expected to call another 32 witnesses.
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