The deputy president of the United Democratic Movement (UDM), Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, was released from a kidnapping incident on Tuesday after his party paid a R10,000 ransom.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said Kwankwa was kidnapped on Tuesday. He was on his way to the Cape Town International Airport en route to president-elect Cyril Ramaphosa’s inauguration in Pretoria.
“The UDM would like to confirm that its deputy president, Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP, was kidnapped today. [He was] on his way to Cape Town Airport en route to the presidential inauguration. A ransom of R10,000 was demanded for his safe return.
UDM paid ransom, car & belongings taken
“The UDM paid the ransom, and Mr Kwankwa was safely released, albeit shaken and traumatised. All his belongings, including his vehicle, were stolen,” said Holomisa.
Holomisa said Kwankwa’s vehicle was later found abandoned.
He said Kwankwa is in contact with the police, and his family has been informed of what has occurred.
“The UDM is saddened by this horrific event but is very grateful for his safe return. We wish Tshawe well on his road to recovery from this dastardly incident,” said Holomisa.
During Friday’s first sitting of the seventh parliament’s National Assembly, Kwankwa was sworn in as one of three UDM members of parliament.
Kwankwa had picked Malema for president in parliament vote
During the election of the president by parliament, Kwankwa nominated EFF leader Julius Malema. He nominated Malema for the position of president of the Republic of South Africa.
Kwankwa’s nomination of Malema was seconded by African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader Vuyo Zungula. This came after the EFF, ATM and UDM were among opposition parties that announced the formation of the Progressive Caucus.
Ramaphosa was elected president of the country after receiving 283 votes, while Malema received 44 votes.
Ramaphosa will officially be inaugurated as president of the country in Pretoria on Wednesday. He will be inaugurated by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo at the Union Buildings.
He got what he voted for