Gauteng MPL Moipone Mhlongo found safe after hijacking ordeal
Gauteng MPL Moipone Mhlongo has been found safe and sound after she was abducted by hijackers in Etwatwa, Ekurhuleni, on Monday night.
Mhlongo, who is the chairperson of the education committee in the provincial legislature, has been involved in efforts to combat crimes such as extortion, armed robberies and hijackings.
Last week, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu revealed that a total of over 4,000 kidnapping cases were reported nationally between April and June, of which 1,700 were registered in Gauteng.
Bandile Masuku, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety, said the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unknown.
“Acts of violence and intimidation have no place in our society. Law enforcement agencies should not be deterred in the pursuit of justice and peace. The unprecedented rise in violent crimes, including extortion, armed robberies and hijackings, continues to create an atmosphere of fear that can no longer be ignored in our communities.
“At a time like this, decisive action is required to restore law and order, protect lives and prevent further deterioration of safety across various communities. It is for this reason that the committee would like to resuscitate discussions around the declaration of the state of emergency to empower the government to deploy additional resources to support the police in combating crime effectively.”
The incident comes hot on the heels of the third anniversary of the death of whistleblower Babita Deokaran.
Deokaran was assassination outside her Joburg home in August 2021 after flagging irregular tenders worth R850 million at the Tembisa Hospital.
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