The Myeza family has broken their silence following the harrowing abduction of YouTuber and content creator Simthande Myeza in a Bolt ride gone horribly wrong.
The incident, which unfolded on Tuesday evening, has left the family shaken but relieved that Simthande is now safe.
The satirical comedian, actor, playwright, and radio presenter from Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, is famous on social media as Maka Thangthini or Maka Tha and makes comedic videos on TikTok and Facebook.
Simthande started doing comedy in 2019 during lockdown.
According to a statement released by family spokesperson Lomsongaka Myeza, the ordeal began when Simthande boarded a Bolt ride in the Umbilo area of Durban.
“One African male was driving the car when he boarded. Realising that the driver was taking a strange route, he asked him to make a U-turn. That’s when the driver got agitated and eventually stopped the car,” Lomsongaka recounted.
Two more men came up to the car, one of them brandishing a gun at Simthande as the other tied his hands and blindfolded him, taking him somewhere he could not be identified.
The nightmare escalated as the abductors accessed Simthande’s phone, drained his bank account, and made ransom demands to his family, colleagues, and friends.
Warned not to inform police
“When they got the money, they stripped him of his clothes and took pictures and videos of him while forcing him to perform despicable acts,” Lomsongaka added.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, the abductors demanded Simthande’s residential address and requested a ride for him, instructing him not to alert authorities.
“They instructed him not to do or say anything [foolish], or they were going to come after him and his family,” the spokesperson noted.
Despite the trauma, Simthande followed their orders, and the matter was reported to the police. The family confirmed that Simthande is now in a safe place, surrounded by loved ones.
“We can confirm that the matter was reported to the police, and Simthande remains in a safe place where he is surrounded by family and friends,” Lomsongaka said, expressing gratitude for the support received.
As the investigation continues, the Myeza family is urging anyone with information to come forward.
KwaZulu- Natal Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed to Sunday World that the Umbilo police are investigating a case of kidnapping.
“Following an incident which a 28-year-old man was reportedly kidnapped in Umbilo on Tuesday night, 17 June 2025. It is reported that the victim requested services of an e-hailing vehicle, however the driver drove towards a different direction and along the way, two other men got into the vehicle and the three men took the victim to a house where he was reportedly made to withdraw an undisclosed amount of money, and was also forced to solicit money from family and friends.”
