South Africa: Zimbabwean Businessman Kidnapped In November Returns Home
A Zimbabwean businessman who was kidnapped in South Africa last month has been reunited with his family.
Ranga Gova, 35, from Centurion, was kidnapped while seated in his wife’s vehicle at the traffic lights near the Midstream Mediclinic in Centurion South Africa just before 8 pm on Thursday, November 3.
The family confirmed on Monday evening that Ranga had safely returned home, IOL reported citing a family statement. Reads the statement:
We are extremely happy to let everyone know that Ranga Gova is back home.
We, as his family, would like to thank all the media outlets who helped spread the news, everyone who kept him in their prayers, and the effort of the SAPS.
We are truly grateful and appreciate the support.
At this moment, we would like to request some privacy as we try to deal with everything that has happened.
At the time of the kidnapping, Gova’s wife, Mamelo, said he was less than two minutes away from the estate where they lived.
The couple has been together for almost six years and has a two-year-old daughter.
She said security guards notified her of the incident after the hijacking was caught on camera. An Uber driver and a security guard witnessed the ordeal.
In footage shared with IOL, Gova can be seen pulling up to the intersection in a grey Mercedes-Benz CLA200D when a vehicle stops beside him and another behind him.
The suspects can be seen exiting both vehicles, and Gova is moved to a silver vehicle before it makes a U-turn and speeds off.
Gova’s vehicle and the one behind him then followed suit.
Family and friends started the #BRINGRANGAHOME hashtag on social media platforms.
Police recovered Mamelo’s vehicle on Saturday, November 5, not far from his home.
His mother, Otilia Gova, flew in from Zimbabwe as soon as she heard of her son’s kidnapping.