Latest news with #LindsayKnowlden
The Citizen
26-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Gauteng health officials raise alarm over baby abductions
The department said the incidents highlights the need for heightened vigilance when it comes to the care of children. The first of the two abductions occurred on 12 May 2025. Picture: iStock The Gauteng Department of Health has raised the alarm following the abduction of two infants from public health facilities in the province. The department stated that both babies were safely recovered and reunited with their parents, thanks to the maximum security and CCTV surveillance, as well as the collaboration between staff and law enforcement authorities. Abduction The first of the two abductions occurred on 12 May 2025 at the Alexandra Community Health Centre, where a one-month-old infant went missing from the Paediatric Outpatient Department (POD) after the mother briefly stepped away and left the baby in the care of a stranger. 'The woman and the baby were captured on CCTV cameras exiting the premises. Swift action by security personnel and Saps led to the safe recovery of the baby,' the Gauteng Health Department said. ALSO READ: Kidnapped Gqeberha woman Lindsay Knowlden reunited with family Second abduction The second case occurred on 23 June 2025 at the Winnie Mandela clinic in Kaalfontein, involving a mother who had brought her three-day-old baby for a postnatal check-up. '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 department said., 'The matter was immediately reported to the police, CCTV footage was reviewed,d 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'. Heightened vigilance The department stated that, despite the maximum security at health facilities and CCTV camera surveillance, the incidents underscore the need for heightened vigilance in the care of children. '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 therefore 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'. Nkomo-Ralehoko said it is essential that parents or guardians inform the staff immediately if they need assistance or need to step away from their child. ALSO READ: Woman linked to Gqeberha newborn kidnappings appears in court
News24
25-06-2025
- Politics
- News24
Capitec backs Schreiber; Court halts Lungu's funeral: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day. Graphic: Sharlene Rood News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature. Gallo Images/Sharon Seretlo Joburg Mayor Dada Morero survives motion of no confidence - City of Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero survived a motion of no confidence brought by the DA. - The DA claims Morero failed to address service delivery issues in the metro. - A motion against council Speaker Nobuhle Mthembu was also put forward by Al Jama-ah. Kidnapped Gqeberha woman dropped off by abductors, reunited with family - Lindsay Knowlden, a 65-year-old woman kidnapped in Gqeberha on Saturday, has been reunited with her family unharmed. - She was dropped off on a street in Bethelsdorp around midnight and taken in by a family who contacted her husband and the police. - A ransom was demanded, but the family declined to comment further as the Hawks are still investigating the case. DEFENCELESS | Security sinks, trade routes exposed as frigates, submarines out of action - The South African Navy is severely weakened, with only one operable submarine and one seagoing frigate remaining from a R10-billion arms deal. - Due to funding cuts and negligence, the navy has lost its fighting capability, leaving South Africa's vast maritime area vulnerable to various threats. - The lack of naval patrols also jeopardises South Africa's ability to protect its gas fields and fulfill international obligations for maritime rescue. High Court halts Lungu's funeral in SA after court challenge by Zambian government - The Zambian government sought to prevent former president Edgar Lungu's funeral from taking place in Johannesburg. - The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ruled in favour of the Zambian government, interdicting the funeral pending an urgent court application. - The legal battle arose from disagreements between the Lungu family and the government regarding the planning of a state funeral in Zambia. Supplied/Capitec Capitec backs Schreiber's 6 500% fee hike for home affairs database checks - Capitec supports the Department of Home Affairs' fee hike for real-time identity checks, citing the need for upgrades to improve the stability of the online verification system. - Capitec will absorb the additional costs for the current financial year, ensuring no fee changes for its clients. - TymeBank criticised the fee increase, arguing it would negatively impact digital inclusion and compliance with anti-money laundering laws, leading to a sharp response from the home affairs minister. Supplied/VW Why the VW half-tonne bakkie doesn't happen for SA - VW will build the Tengo, a compact, front-wheel drive crossover, at its Eastern Cape plant, instead of the Saveiro bakkie. - The compact bakkie market in South Africa has declined due to security concerns and the rise of crossovers offering better features. - VW chose the Tengo because it believes it better responds to current market demand than the Saveiro, despite the latter's appeal. Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images Asenathi Ntlabakanye: How burly Bok newbie shed 20kg training on scrum guru Human's farm - Asenathi Ntlabakanye, a new Springbok prop, lost almost 20kg in weeks through rigorous training on Daan Human's farm. - This weight loss contributed to Ntlabakanye's selection for the match against the Barbarians in Cape Town. - Coach Rassie Erasmus compared Ntlabakanye's situation to Cheslin Kolbe, emphasising that skill and determination matter more than size.
Daily Maverick
25-06-2025
- 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
25-06-2025
- 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
News24
25-06-2025
- News24
Kidnapped Gqeberha woman dropped off by abductors, reunited with family
A 65-year-old Gqeberha woman, who was kidnapped on Saturday, has been reunited with her family. Lindsay Knowlden's family on Wednesday morning confirmed that she had been returned home. Family spokesperson John Best said that Knowlden had been dropped off on a street in Bethelsdorp at around midnight. 'She just called out for help, and a family took her in,' he said. Best said the family had contacted Knowlden's husband and the police, and she had been reunited with her family shortly after. Knowlden and her husband were apparently accosted outside the Nelson Mandela Bay Fresh Produce Market in Markman, north of the CBD, early on Saturday morning. News24 previously reported that Knowlden and her husband were accosted by armed men in the underground parking lot after arriving for work. He was assaulted with a firearm and suffered a laceration to his eye, while she was bundled into a silver Polo and then driven away. Knowlden's husband is an agent at the market, and she worked for him. Best confirmed that a ransom had been demanded, but declined to comment further as the case is still under investigation by the Hawks. He added that Knowlden had said that five men had abducted her, but that her family had not pushed her for more information at this stage. He said that Knowlden's doctor had examined her and given her a clean bill of health. Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, was unable to confirm any information around Knowlden's rescue at the time of publication. His response will be added once received.
