NATIONAL NEWS - Two women survived a night of terror after they were kidnapped in the north of Pretoria and ransomed for money.
Marelize Taljaard and Melonie Booysen were apparently hijacked on Sunday night, right outside one of the women’s homes in Montana.
Sinoville police spokesperson Johan van Dyk said the hijackers took both women captive in Booysen’s Toyota Corolla.
“The two women apparently met outside the house in Montana, around 20:00, after the one’s husband left to buy food,” said Van Dyk.
“After the husband returned home, he found his wife missing. Her cell phone was left inside the house, so he immediately knew something was wrong.”
Soon after the women disappeared, the Eblockwatch community watch group alerted residents throughout Pretoria.
SMS messages and social media posts were sent to over 6 000 Eblockwatch members to keep an eye out for the women and the hijacked vehicle, according to Eblockwatch founder André Snyman.
“The hijackers apparently forced one of the women into the trunk of the car, while they took the other to an ATM,” said Snyman.
Van Dyk said the women’s kidnappers called their family members, demanding a ransom.
“They apparently called the one’s husband to demand R2 000,” said Van Dyk.
