ActionSA Gauteng leader and party premier candidate Funzi Ngobeni and youth forum chairperson Hluphi Gafane have been found.
This comes after the pair were reportedly forced into Ngobeni’s white Toyota Hilux in Olivenhoutbosch, near Centurion, on Tuesday evening.
ActionSA confirmed on its social media account that the two were found late on Tuesday evening, adding that more details would be divulged in relation to the hijacking and abduction on Wednesday.
Recovered in good health
“Funzi and Hluphi have been recovered. We can confirm they are in good health despite what must have been a harrowing experience,” said the party on its X (formerly Twitter) account.
“They, along with their families, are deeply moved by the love and prayers of the ActionSA family as well as the overwhelming outpouring of support from South Africans.
“It is requested that they be afforded the space this evening to be with their families and recover from this ordeal. Undoubtedly, more details of these events will be communicated tomorrow [Wednesday]. Thank you to everyone who shared and offered their prayers.
Missing persons alert
The party had earlier on Tuesday issued a missing persons alert on X, notifying members of the public about the hijacking.
“Our Gauteng Provincial Chairperson, Funzi Ngobeni, and Chairperson of the Youth Forum, Hluphi Gafane, are believed to have been victims of a hijacking this evening.
“Both Funzi and Hluphi are currently missing. We are working closely with the families, vehicle tracking company and law enforcement agencies. We ask that you please share this post, and that you hold Funzi and Hluphi, and their families, in your thoughts and pray for their safe return.
The party had said it was working closely with Funzi and Gafane’s families, the vehicle tracking company, and law enforcement agencies.
“Please hold Funzi and Hluphi and their families in your thoughts and pray for their safe return,” read the earlier statement.
While Ngobeni was paying a visit to Gafane at her house, a number of armed men hijacked and kidnapped the pair, party leader Herman Mashaba told EWN.
The party officials were released in Benoni and Ngobeni’s family has opened a case of kidnapping at the Olievenhoutbosch police station.
