News24 reports that according to the private investigating company working on the case of the kidnapped municipal manager of the Nkangala District, Maggie Skhosana, the family has received a R5 million ransom demand.

"They recently contacted the family for the ransom demand," Morney Vos, of Specialised Security Services, indicated on Monday afternoon. Skhosana, who is wheelchair-dependent, and her driver, Gugu Mtsweni, were abducted at the municipality's gates on Thursday. CCTV footage shows a man brandishing a rifle getting out of a car with blue lights, and into the municipal manager's car. Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Selvy Mohlala, on Friday said one of the vehicles was later found at a mine. Skhosana's wheelchair and personal belongings, including a bag, were found in the abandoned vehicle. On Monday, Vos said they were close to cracking the case and had already identified the individuals and the syndicate involved. According to Vos, the syndicate was well-known for hijackings, kidnappings and cash-in-transit heists. Mpumalanga police said they were unaware of the ransom allegations.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos & Zandile Khumalo at News24

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