In a remarkable turn of events, the Provincial Commissioner of the Police in the Free State, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, has confirmed that Pastor Phillip Mashudu (55) and his wife, Mrs. Elsie Matlou Mashudu (54), have been found alive and safe in Everton, Gauteng.
The couple was located on the evening of Monday, 27 August 2024, following an extensive search operation by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
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The Pastor and his wife were reported missing after leaving Bethlehem on Friday, 23 August 2024, to attend a church conference in Parys.
Concern grew rapidly when they failed to arrive at their destination, prompting the formation of a specialized provincial task team to trace their whereabouts.
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The search intensified when their vehicle was discovered in Sebokeng on Sunday, but the couple remained missing.
Determined to find the couple, the SAPS task team collaborated closely with counterparts across provinces, pursuing every lead.
Their relentless efforts paid off last night when a significant breakthrough led to the arrest of three suspects in Sharpville.
Further investigation directed the team to a house in Everton, where a fourth suspect was apprehended, and the Pastor and his wife were found unharmed.
During the raid, police confiscated several bank cards, a large sum of cash, and a toy gun. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the couple was hijacked and kidnapped on the road between Heilbron and Sasolburg. The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are anticipated.
Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane expressed deep gratitude to all units involved in the operation.
“I want to thank the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit, Provincial Organised Crime Unit, Fezile Dabi District Detectives, Crime Intelligence from both Free State and Gauteng, as well as the TRT Units from Fezile Dabi and Welkom, and Sasolburg Detectives. Your dedication, hard work, and perseverance have led to this significant breakthrough in the kidnapping case. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to keeping our community safe.”
The four suspects, all males aged between 31 and 41, are scheduled to appear in the Sasolburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 29 August 2024, facing charges of hijacking and kidnapping.
This story is a testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement in ensuring the safety of the community and bringing those responsible to justice.
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