Business community reels after kidnapping incident: Nelson Mandela Bay's security crisis deepens
On Saturday morning at 6 am, Gqeberha resident Lindsay Knowlden, 65, was kidnapped from the Fresh Produce Market in Markman Industrial Area. While the kidnapping has sent shockwaves through the Nelson Mandela Bay community, frustrated business owners, whose businesses are under threat from protection rackets, have been calling for improved security in that area for more than two years.
For the past two years, members of the Markman Business Forum and business owners have been pleading with the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality for improved security infrastructure, more specifically a 300m fence to improve the safety of those who work in the area, spokesperson Graham Taylor said on Sunday.
On Saturday, the business community was shocked after Peter and Lindsay Knowlden were attacked in the underground parking at the Fresh Produce Market. Peter Knowlden was assaulted with a firearm and his wife Lindsay was kidnapped.
'We have been battling now for close on two years, and you almost get the feeling that the municipality is trying its best to avoid us,' Taylor said.
Taylor said that a meeting had been held earlier this month with acting city manager Ted Pillay and 'some commitments were made'.
'The boundaries of Markman Industria are incredibly porous,' Taylor said.
'Vulnerable'
'We are vulnerable on three sides of the area. We need a 300m fence. That corner where the Fresh Produce Market is has always been a problem,' he said.
He said that to the municipality's credit, it had tried to improve the security at the Fresh Produce market and had built a wall around the facility.
'But personally, I have never seen security guards there. The problem is that it remains completely accessible from the back,' Taylor said.
He said the area was monitored by private security, but it urgently needed a fence.
'That way we can introduce proper access control.' He said that currently, anybody could enter the area.
'That Addo corridor is a major challenge,' he said, referring to the road that runs from the N2 through Motherwell to Addo.
'We have been having meetings with logistics service providers and industry stakeholders just to address crime,' Taylor said.
'Businesses have the solution, but people need to start listening.' He said that as a result of the deteriorating security situation in the area, the cost of business had shot up. Some businesses now had to pay R300,000 a month for security.
'Protection racket'
Taylor said a protection racket was being run in the area, and any vehicle leaving without security would be followed and hijacked, especially those transporting food.
'Demanding protection money has become a trend,' he said. 'People know exactly what is in those vehicles.'
Wayne Hart from Atlas Security said they had been called in on Saturday after Lindsay Knowlden was kidnapped, as the couple were clients.
'As you, we are deeply concerned about the kidnapping of Lindsay Knowlden, which took place in the early hours of Saturday morning. Atlas Security was first on the scene, and our team responded immediately after being alerted.
'Our control room and teams have been working closely with the local authorities, using our extensive network of CCTV cameras across Nelson Mandela Bay to assist in the investigation. We can confirm that the vehicle involved was flagged, but in the interest of the ongoing investigation, further details cannot be shared at this time.
'We are aware that the Hawks have received a ransom demand for Lindsay's safe return. The case is now in the hands of the Hawks and SAPS, and Atlas Security will continue to cooperate fully with all roleplayers as the investigation unfolds.
'Our thoughts are with Lindsay's family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. We urge anyone with information to contact SAPS,' Atlas said.
SAPS spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge confirmed the incident, and that the case had been transferred to the Hawks.
The Fresh Produce Market is a Nelson Mandela Bay municipal facility, but by last night, municipal spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya had not responded to questions about security measures there.
Earlier this month, Sanral construction manager Victor Ngcobo was kidnapped from Addo Road, 3km from the latest abduction. He was released unharmed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Maverick
6 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Business community reels after kidnapping incident: Nelson Mandela Bay's security crisis deepens
On Saturday morning at 6 am, Gqeberha resident Lindsay Knowlden, 65, was kidnapped from the Fresh Produce Market in Markman Industrial Area. While the kidnapping has sent shockwaves through the Nelson Mandela Bay community, frustrated business owners, whose businesses are under threat from protection rackets, have been calling for improved security in that area for more than two years. For the past two years, members of the Markman Business Forum and business owners have been pleading with the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality for improved security infrastructure, more specifically a 300m fence to improve the safety of those who work in the area, spokesperson Graham Taylor said on Sunday. On Saturday, the business community was shocked after Peter and Lindsay Knowlden were attacked in the underground parking at the Fresh Produce Market. Peter Knowlden was assaulted with a firearm and his wife Lindsay was kidnapped. 'We have been battling now for close on two years, and you almost get the feeling that the municipality is trying its best to avoid us,' Taylor said. Taylor said that a meeting had been held earlier this month with acting city manager Ted Pillay and 'some commitments were made'. 'The boundaries of Markman Industria are incredibly porous,' Taylor said. 'Vulnerable' 'We are vulnerable on three sides of the area. We need a 300m fence. That corner where the Fresh Produce Market is has always been a problem,' he said. He said that to the municipality's credit, it had tried to improve the security at the Fresh Produce market and had built a wall around the facility. 'But personally, I have never seen security guards there. The problem is that it remains completely accessible from the back,' Taylor said. He said the area was monitored by private security, but it urgently needed a fence. 'That way we can introduce proper access control.' He said that currently, anybody could enter the area. 'That Addo corridor is a major challenge,' he said, referring to the road that runs from the N2 through Motherwell to Addo. 'We have been having meetings with logistics service providers and industry stakeholders just to address crime,' Taylor said. 'Businesses have the solution, but people need to start listening.' He said that as a result of the deteriorating security situation in the area, the cost of business had shot up. Some businesses now had to pay R300,000 a month for security. 'Protection racket' Taylor said a protection racket was being run in the area, and any vehicle leaving without security would be followed and hijacked, especially those transporting food. 'Demanding protection money has become a trend,' he said. 'People know exactly what is in those vehicles.' Wayne Hart from Atlas Security said they had been called in on Saturday after Lindsay Knowlden was kidnapped, as the couple were clients. 'As you, we are deeply concerned about the kidnapping of Lindsay Knowlden, which took place in the early hours of Saturday morning. Atlas Security was first on the scene, and our team responded immediately after being alerted. 'Our control room and teams have been working closely with the local authorities, using our extensive network of CCTV cameras across Nelson Mandela Bay to assist in the investigation. We can confirm that the vehicle involved was flagged, but in the interest of the ongoing investigation, further details cannot be shared at this time. 'We are aware that the Hawks have received a ransom demand for Lindsay's safe return. The case is now in the hands of the Hawks and SAPS, and Atlas Security will continue to cooperate fully with all roleplayers as the investigation unfolds. 'Our thoughts are with Lindsay's family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. We urge anyone with information to contact SAPS,' Atlas said. SAPS spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge confirmed the incident, and that the case had been transferred to the Hawks. The Fresh Produce Market is a Nelson Mandela Bay municipal facility, but by last night, municipal spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya had not responded to questions about security measures there. Earlier this month, Sanral construction manager Victor Ngcobo was kidnapped from Addo Road, 3km from the latest abduction. He was released unharmed.
Daily Maverick
15 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
ATM hacking accused freed on bail after magistrate's blunder in multimillion-rand case
A man who allegedly made millions in cash by hacking ATMs in the Eastern and Western Cape was released on bail late last week after the Bhisho High Court ruled that the magistrate had made a mistake by not giving reasons for the decision to keep him behind bars. One of the men arrested by the Hawks in March 2025 and linked to a syndicate that has allegedly netted R7-million by hacking ATMs has been released on bail after the court ruled that the magistrate hearing his bail application had made a mistake. Mongameli Tom was arrested with another man near Peddie in the Eastern Cape after the pair allegedly hacked into two ATMs in Mdantsane, Buffalo City. At the time of Tom's arrest the Hawks said that he was also linked to a series of ATM fraud incidents in the Western Cape. Tom has denied any involvement. Tom and the other man were intercepted near Peddie on 17 March 2025 following a multidisciplinary, intelligence-driven operation led by the East London Serious Organised Crime Investigation team. The Hawks explained at the time that the suspects allegedly disguised themselves as cash-in-transit security guards, armed with a rifle, to create the illusion that they were legitimately servicing the ATM. But instead they were using 'jackpot' software to hack into the ATM and take all the money. Tom was arrested by the Hawks on 19 March 2025. On 9 April 2025 he applied for bail but this was refused. He is charged with 51 counts of fraud and 52 counts of theft which were allegedly committed between Cape Town and East London. Four of these offences were committed in the Eastern Cape and two in the magisterial district of Mdantsane, where he appeared in court. In February and March 2025 amounts of R143,500 and R236,900 were taken from two ATMs at two garages in Mdantsane. Tom, from Mitchells Plain in the Western Cape, is the director of two companies, Abakwazidenge Trading (Pty) Ltd and Khundulu Holdings (Pty) Ltd. According to Tom both companies made between R30,000 and R50,000 profit a month but had stopped operating after he was arrested. In an affidavit before court – detailing his personal circumstances – he stated that he had dependent children and had to provide for their needs. Acting Judge Aaron Zono said the magistrate hearing Tom's bail application had not dealt with an affidavit setting out his personal circumstances. Tom has no previous convictions nor pending cases. 'There is not a single reason in the magistrate's judgment why [Tom's] case or version has not been accepted or rejected. We may only assume that it was rejected for the fact that it is not referred to in the judgment,' Zono said. 'In fact, the magistrate's failure to accept or reject appellant's case is rooted in his failure to consider the same. One cannot accept or reject something he has not considered. No balancing act has been made by the magistrate. 'The magistrate did not account for the judgment he gave. He did not analyse the evidence before arriving at his conclusion. He did not explain why the evidence of the accused persons was not accepted and why that evidence did not meet the standard of being reasonably possibly true. He did not even explain on what basis he found that the state had discharged its onus of proof and why its evidence was accepted. 'A judgment without reasons is arbitrary. Equally a judgment that does not account for all the evidence is arbitrary. A judgment without balancing exercise between the two opposing versions or evidence lacks proper analysis and is consequently arbitrary. Zono also said the State had not rebutted evidence presented by Tom, who denies knowledge of any crimes, but only stated that the prosecution's case is strong and Tom's case is weak. He added that the magistrate should have given a reasoned ruling on why bail was refused.
IOL News
16 hours ago
- IOL News
South African engineers granted clemency by Equatorial Guinea's President
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronlad Lamola, welcomed Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham home at Lanseria Airport with their families. Image: Supplied Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has confirmed that Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the President of Equatorial Guinea, has granted clemency for the two South African engineers imprisoned for drug trafficking charges two years ago. The families of engineers Peter Huxham and Frik Potgieter also expressed their relief and gratitude to everyone including the South African government for never giving up on their plight Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, said the release was a coordinated effort between the department, the families and their employer, SBM Offshore. 'The Government of the Republic of South Africa welcomes the release of Mr Peter Shane Huxham and Mr Frik Potgieter from detention in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. This release follows the granting of clemency by the President of Equatorial Guinea,' said Phiri. The duo were arrested on February 9, 2023 on drug trafficking charges and were sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment. They were working offshore in the central African country, and the arrest came just two days after a South African court ordered the seizure of a super yacht, called Blue Shadow valued above R300 million, and two luxury villas belonging to vice president of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro 'Teodorin' Nguema Obiang Mangue, the son of the president Mbasogo. "South Africa expresses its sincere gratitude to the Government of Equatorial Guinea for considering and ultimately granting this Presidential pardon, allowing Mr Huxham and Mr Potgieter to return home to their loved ones,' said Phiri. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'Since their arrest, the South African Government has remained actively engaged through diplomatic channels, including sending Special Envoys, to secure their release on humanitarian grounds. Throughout these sustained engagements, the Government consistently appealed for clemency, highlighting the humanitarian aspects of the case and the profound impact on the families of the detained. 'The Government of South Africa acknowledges the complexity of the matter, including its sensitive diplomatic and legal dimensions. It appreciated the Government of Equatorial Guinea's continued provision of consular access and the spirit of constructive diplomatic dialogue that has been maintained throughout this period." Shaun Murphy and Francois Nigrini, spokespersons for the families, said they were relieved. 'We are overwhelmed with relief and joy. The last two years and four months have been unimaginably painful for both of our families. Today, we are finally able to say: Frik and Peter are safely back home. 'The families expressed their deepest appreciation to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, including Frik and Peter's employer (SBM Offshore), the South African and UK governments, international diplomatic partners, parliamentarians, legal teams, Hostage International and other civil society organisations, and the media. They are also grateful to former Minister of International Relations, Naledi Pandor, and the current Minister, Ronald Lamola, who visited Equatorial Guinea as envoys for the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa. ' The families also thanked South Africans and everyone worldwide for signing their online petition which called for their release. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
