A South African diplomat kidnapped in Malaysia on May 23 and later released was apparently mistaken by his abductors for a foreign tourist, South Africa’s Foreign Affairs Department said on Tuesday.
In a statement, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said Nicky Scholtz, Deputy High Commissioner in Malaysia, was kidnapped while walking along Jalan Ampang, between the KLCC Suria and the Hotel Nikko in Kuala Lumpur.
He was beaten while shouting for help, Mamoepa said. As his kidnappers sped away they tried repeatedly to slam a car door shut on his leg. He was subsequently confined with the purpose of extorting money from him.
Scholtz was threatened with a knife, bound with wire cables, repeatedly tortured and threatened with death more than once.
”These assaults resulted in at least two fractured ribs, temporary dislocation of his jaw, severe bruising on his back and bruising to his face, arms and legs.”
About 16 000 ringgits (about R21 000) was extorted from Scholtz, while they were unable to access an additional sum of money.
His captors released him — under threat of death — on condition he left Malaysia without reporting the matter.
That Scholtz in fact told the authorities ”justifies the high regard in which Scholtz is held by his employers, colleagues, family and friends,” Mamoepa said.
”The South African High Commission is concerned that some of the sensationalist, sometimes misleading and at times factually blatantly incorrect reporting that has accompanied this very serious case may be unhelpful in assisting the Malaysian
authorities in resolving the matter speedily and effectively.
”The South African High Commission continues to work closely with all the Malaysian authorities and wishes to reiterate their call for any witnesses, whether those witnesses to the abduction itself or subsequently, to come forward with any information that may assist in bringing this very unfortunate incident to a successful and speedy resolution,” Mamoepa said. – Sapa