A manhunt has been launched for a well-known East London businessman, kidnapped outside his Amalinda workplace on Thursday evening.
Pramesh Hooka, the brother of Gqeberha businessman and owner of Autostyling PE in Sidwell, Mahesh, was shoved into the boot of a car while heading home for the day.
It is believed a ransom demand of R2m was subsequently made for his release, but the Hawks would not be drawn into commenting on the alleged negotiations.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela confirmed Hooka, 47, had been kidnapped on Thursday evening at the Amalinda branch of Autostyling.
Autostyling is a successful car fitment centre and online store.
According to Mgolodela, five armed men driving a champagne-gold Avanza grabbed Hooka and forced him into the boot of the vehicle before speeding off.
In CCTV footage of the incident which has since been doing the rounds on social media, at about 5.40pm a man can be seen walking to a vehicle parked in the parking lot of the business premises.
Moments later he is seen walking away from the vehicle and disappears from sight.
Less than 10 seconds later a person runs back into view while the Avanza pulls up.
Four people are then seen forcing Hooka into the back of the vehicle.
Mgolodela confirmed the matter had been reported to authorities and various law enforcement units had been activated.
She could not confirm if a ransom demand had been made.
Contacted for comment, Hooka's Gqeberha-based brother, Mahesh, said he was still busy with the police and had no comment at this stage.
“I have no comment until we have the situation under control,” he said.
Thursday’s incident was one of several kidnappings reported in the Eastern Cape in recent months.
In March, biokineticist Riana Pretorius was kidnapped from outside her Newton Park workplace.
Pretorius was missing for eight days while her alleged kidnappers negotiated a R2m demand for her release.
According to sources, R1.1m was finally paid over and Pretorius was returned to her family, physically unharmed.
Two men have since been arrested in connection with the ordeal.
Days later, Hilton Wicks, 24, the son of a prominent businessman from Nqanqarhu (Maclear), was kidnapped in his hometown.
Three days later, he was dropped off by his kidnappers, though it is not clear if their ransom demands were ever met.
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