Ladysmith and Newcastle SAPS and K9 Search and Rescue members recently spent multiple man hours searching overgrown bushes and rough terrains behind the Ladysmith Cemetery and parts of Steadville for a missing person who was abducted by a group of armed unknown men on Friday evening, 17 September.
Warrant Officer Jacques Meyer, Sergeant Stanley Holloway and K9 Ira along with other SAPS members spent most of Tuesday, 21 September, searching for any trace of Nhlanhla Maduna, 41, after he was abducted by a group of unknown armed suspects who had forced their way into the residence, in Kleinfontein, where Maduna and his room mate had been asleep in their respective rooms.
It is reported that the suspects stabbed and brutally assaulted Maduna’s roommate, who is currently fighting for his life in hospital, before abducting Maduna and leaving with his vehicle. Maduna’s family sought the assistance of a traditional healer, who had told them that he last felt Maduna’s presence around the area of the Ladysmith Cemetery, near the Klipriver, and K9 Ira could be seen scouring bushy areas with SAPS and Maduna’s family who had asked police to assist in searching various places identified by the traditional healer. “We are grateful for the help of the police and the search and rescue members who are working towards finding Maduna, I just pray that we find him alive because any other news will be devastating to his wife and sons,” said Siyabonga Hadebe, Maduna’s cousin who had rushed down from Johannesburg. He told The Ladysmith Herald that Maduna has two sons, aged three and 10 years old, and that when he received the call, he was very confused about the situation. “At first I could not understand what was being said and had to ask several times, over and over, as to what had happened to Maduna,” said Hadebe, who added that he and Maduna had grown up together in Steadville.
“Maduna is not just a cousin, but a brother and best friend to me,” said Hadebe. Hadebe explained that Maduna’s room was filled with blood, as if he had been fighting off his attackers. “I can’t tell you who they are or why they would have taken him.” Hadebe said that the family is in complete disbelief and it feels like they are living in a crime documentary on the Discovery channel. “We don’t know what to say or do. All we want is Maduna to come home safely.” Hadebe said that no ransom has been made and their only wish is that he comes home. “We just want him home and we plead with the community of Besters, Kleinfontein and Ladysmith at large to please help with any information that might lead to finding him.”
Hadebe explained that the last known position of Maduna’s vehicle was recorded before it was taken from the Kleinfontein area and police told The Ladysmith Herald that further investigation into the whereabouts of the vehicle still needs to be done as they follow up on other leads. The search was called off on Tuesday afternoon. Hadebe is pleading with the community to please come forward and assist them in finding Maduna by contacting police if they have any information that might help. “Please contact the police or call Crime Stop. Please help us find Maduna.” Besters Police said a case of house robbery, kidnapping and GBH is being investigated. Anyone with information that can assist may contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Wiseman Mabaso, on 082-462-9849 or call Crime Stop on 08600-10111.
