Somali woman kidnapped in East London

October 03, 2004, 18:17

A 20-year-old Somali woman was abducted in East London yesterday while her companion struggled and pleaded for her release, Eastern Cape police said.

Inspector Johan van Jaarsveld said two women - Sacdiyo Ahmed Mahamud and her sister-in-law, Fatumah Ali - went to make a phonecall from a 24 hour shop at a filling station in Buffalo Street at 3:15pm.

"A black Mitsubishi - the small Pajero with a sliding door - pulled up outside," said Van Jaarsveld. "We have two witnesses but they did not see the man going in. They only saw him coming out, dragging one of the women."

Van Jaarsveld said Mahamud was dragged into the car, in spite of protests and struggles from both the woman's companion and a petrol pump attendant who rushed to help. The car then drove off down Buffalo Street towards Fleet Street.

Mahamud, an asylum seeker from war-torn Somalia, travelled a "long and dangerous road" to get to South Africa, said her brother, Cape Town resident Muhyadin Ahmed Mahamud, who arrived in the country via a similar route seven years ago.

He said Mahamud had been staying with their brother Moqtar Ahmed Mahamud and his wife Ali in East London since July, when she arrived. "The guys that took her are known around here. They are also Somali. I am afraid their intention is to rape her," Muhyadin said.

Muhyadin, who arrived early this morning to help out in the family crisis, said he thinks one of the men lives near the Victory Cinema in College Street. Van Jaarsveld said Moqtar alleged in his statement that the man wanted to marry Mahamud, but both he and his sister were against the proposal. - Sapa