Midnight Journey Ends in Abduction Drama — Woman Found Safe After 48-Hour Ordeal
SOUTH AFRICA — A woman from Windmill Park in Ekurhuleni who was reported missing while travelling to a midnight church service in Newtown, Johannesburg, has been found alive.
Mbalenhle “Miranda” Nkomo, whose disappearance sparked widespread concern on social media, was located on Sunday afternoon at a petrol station — allegedly released by her abductors after they realized she was not their intended target.
Her husband, Sandile Nkomo, said the abductors panicked when they couldn’t find the car tracker and abandoned both the vehicle and his wife.
“They drove from Johannesburg to KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday and returned on Sunday morning,” he said.
The men, realizing their mistake, left her shaken but physically unharmed.
He also mentioned that highway surveillance cameras had captured the vehicle travelling along the N3 near Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, on Saturday morning, and investigators were now collecting fingerprints from the recovered car.
He explained that the abductors likely mistook Miranda for someone driving a similar vehicle. “She went nearly two days without food and was emotionally rattled, but she’s safe,” he said.
The prayer gathering Miranda was headed to typically draws more than 2,000 worshippers, raising early concern when she failed to arrive.
Her family has expressed deep relief and gratitude for the public’s support during the ordeal.
Authorities are continuing their investigation and have not yet announced whether formal charges will be filed.
