Ukrainian woman ‘severely traumatised’ by kidnapping ordeal

CAPE TOWN - A Ukrainian woman kidnapped in Cape Town and released nine days later was fed bread and water by her abductors.

While 35-year-old Anna Penev was not physically harmed, a close friend says she is severely traumatised by her ordeal.

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Penev, who was kept blindfolded, was released on Friday night near Khayelitsha after a ransom was paid.

Penev’s friend says while her family and friends were always anxious, they never lost hope. 

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He says it will take a long time to recover but they’re relieved she wasn’t assaulted.

Police say they’ve investigated 33 kidnappings in the Western Cape in the last seven months alone.

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This number is likely higher as many more abductions go unreported out of fear.

* eNCA's Ayesha Ismail reports.