EKURHULENI - A Kwa-Thema family’s desperate prayers have turned to thanksgiving.
There's relief after missing Ntombifuthi Rumo was found alive on Saturday night.
She was badly bruised after being tortured by kidnappers who demanded R40,000 for her release, sending the message via her phone.
But while happy that she's now safe, the community is frustrated by the slow police response and growing fear among women in Ekurhuleni.
The last few days have been very tough for Rumo’s mother, Albinah.
““Ntombifuthi’s disappearance was too difficult for the family. We were distressed and had endless sleepless nights. By the grace of God, our child has returned back home safely,” she said.
Ntombifuthi disappeared after boarding a taxi heading to Duduza on 7 October.
Then came a call from her own cellphone, but with unknown men demanding R40,000 for her release.
Threatening messages followed, along with a horrific video showing her naked, injured and pleading with her mother for help.
“It was painful when I heard everyone talking about it. And they’ve been posting her pictures, I didn’t want to see those pictures. I was hurting so much.”
According to the family Ntombifuthi’s captors dropped her near a cemetery in Kwa-Thema on Saturday night.
Badly bruised, she ran to someone nearby for help.
She was taken to her family, who then rushed her to hospital.
Her mother said their relief does not erase the frustration over how police handled the case.
“The police were very slow on this case. It was the family that was running around to find Ntombi and we were looking for her. So, it was the family that was running to the police station, because the police were taking very long to come to our house.”
Women said Ntombifuthi’s ordeal has deepened their fear. The recent discovery of Dineo Motapane’s body on the side of the road in Kwa-Thema is still fresh in their minds.