National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) secretary-general William Mabapa was kidnapped by three armed men who attempted in vain to siphon funds from his union’s bank account, which contains more than R400-million.
The trio withdrew over R50 000 from Mabapa’s different bank accounts before dropping him off at a fuel station in Centurion, Pretoria last week.
The shocking incident was revealed by Mabapa’s ally, who did not want to be identified for fear of victimisation.
Relating the ordeal, the ally said Mabapa was driving in his Range Rover when the suspects, armed with shotguns, accosted him as he arrived at his house in Noordwyk, Midrand at about 8pm on Wednesday.
They smashed the windows of his road monster, violently pulled him out and bundled him into a Mercedes-Benz before driving off with him. The suspects then tried to access his union’s bank account, which had more than R400-million, but they failed, as the withdrawal needed approval from different signatories.
Mabapa was then forced to withdraw R50 000 from his bank accounts before being dropped off at a garage in Samrand in Centurion.
The union boss approached security guards patrolling the area and related his story. He then implored them to take him home.
The guards dropped him off at his home where he alerted the police about the incident. A case of kidnapping and hijacking was opened at the Midrand police station the next day after the cops had obtained his statement.
“We are happy that our comrade was not harmed by these thugs, he only sustained minor bruises to his hands,” said the ally, adding that Mabapa’s vehicle was left outside his home, because its key was damaged during the scuffle with the suspects.
Sunday World has seen a police statement which corroborates the version of Mabapa’s ally. Attempts to get a comment from Mabapa drew a blank as his cellphone was on voicemail.
NUM spokesperson Livhuwani Mammburu said Mabapa was not available for comment because he is attending an extended NUM national executive committee meeting in the Eastern Cape.
Gauteng provincial police spokesperson Mavela Masondo confirmed that Mabapa was hijacked and kidnapped last week.
“We can confirm that cases of hijacking and kidnapping have been opened at the Midrand police station. No arrests have been made as yet and police investigations are under way,” said Masondo.
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