MEC for Education in the Eastern Cape has condemned the kidnapping of a teacher at a school in Algoa Park, Gqeberha, this morning. The teacher was snatched at around 8 am while she was entering the school premises.

HIGH-PRIORITY CASE

MEC Fundile Gade said that the kidnapping of an educator is the worst thing to ever happen in the sector. "Actions of this nature seek to undermine the hard-earned democratic right to life in a free country.' Gade said this matter is being treated as a high-priority case and urged community members to assist in finding the teacher. "We urge the police and all law enforcement agencies to bring her back, as this has left her family, colleagues, and learners of the school in distress.' Gade also called on the entire Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) Metro to take a stand against criminal elements in their communities. "We call upon all citizens of the Metro (NMB) to eject these elements in our society through working with the police and Community Policing Forum,' he said.

NO RANSOM DEMAND

Eastern Cape police spokesperson Andre Beetge said three male suspects in a white Toyota Corolla ambushed the teacher, forcibly removed her from her vehicle, and drove off with her. "No ransom has been demanded yet. A kidnapping case has been opened at SAPS Algoa Park, and the SAPS Provincial Organised Crime Investigation (POCI) Unit is investigating."