Publications
Partners
A South African man is feared to have been shot and injured before he was abducted in Mozambique.
Another South African, who is a member of the Mozambique Foreign Business Chamber, told News24 on Thursday that Andre Hanekom, who has lived in Mozambique for 23 years, was allegedly abducted on Wednesday.
"We have received news of an abduction and kidnapping of a South African national just north of Palma town, Cabo Delgado Province in Mozambique," said the business chamber member who preferred to be identified only as Mr Strydom for safety reasons.
ALSO READ: Mapping the businessmen who have been kidnapped in SA since 2015
Strydom, whose name is known to News24, said the incident took place in the parking area of the Amarula Hotel just north of the town of Palma.
"Hanekom was wounded in the arm with an AK-47. He was then placed in the boot of a car and removed from the site," he said, adding that they had established this information as fact.
While there had been allegations that a police officer might have been involved in the incident, he said the person who shot Hanekom was not dressed in police uniform and the vehicle that removed him was also not a marked police vehicle.
"We have, from the Foreign Business Chamber side, made contact with the Palma police, who denied having him in custody. We have with great difficulty made contact with medical facilities in the area and we established that he is not in any of them," he said.
South African authorities 'unhelpful and uninterested'
Strydom said speculation was that Hanekom may have had issues with some local residents.
"It is alleged that a serving member of the police in his personal capacity abducted Mr Hanekom. However, this is all speculation," he said.
He said they feared for Hanekom's life, as an untreated gun wound might "lead to severe infection and death".
"The South African High Commission has been unhelpful and uninterested at this stage. Authorities need to act immediately to ensure that this matter is handled in an appropriate and legitimate manner. We urge the Mozambique police and South African government to act and assist in this matter," Strydom added.
Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) spokesperson Ndivhuwo Mabaya told News24 on Friday that the South African embassy in Mozambique was aware of the incident and was providing assistance to Hanekom's wife.
Hanekom's daughter Amanda confirmed to News24 that Hanekom had been abducted and possibly located.
"My mother is currently at a hospital where he was apparently taken, but she has not been allowed to see him. It sounds like he's in a very poor condition."
Amanda said the South African embassy was assisting her mother telephonically to convince hospital officials to allow her access to Hanekom.
This is a developing story. - Additional reporting by Riaan Grobler
