Public urged to help find nurse believed to have been kidnapped

Police have appealed to the public for any information regarding the suspected kidnapping of 49-year-old nurse Ntombi Futhi, an employee at Redcliffe Clinic in Redcliffe, near Verulam.

Ms Futhi is believed to have been abducted from her residence on School Road in Parkgate.

The alarm was raised when her manager from Osindisweni Government Hospital (OGH) visited Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) on Wednesday morning, requesting a wellness check on Ms Futhi.

He expressed growing concerns as Ms Futhi had failed to show up for work that day. They had also been unable to reach her on her cellphone.

In response to this information, Reaction Officers accompanied the manager to Ms Futhi's residence, and they were joined by members of Verulam SAPS.

“Upon arrival at the property, which was rented to multiple individuals, Futhi's silver Hyundai Tucson was discovered in her parking bay. Reaction Officers made contact with her 22-year-old son, who was found asleep inside the house. He indicated that his mother was in her room. Despite their attempts to make contact, there was no response when they knocked on her bedroom door.

“Our officers subsequently, forcibly entered her bedroom, only to find that the nurse was nowhere to be found. Her bed was neatly made up, and her handbag containing personal items, car keys, wallet, and identification documents were inside her wardrobe. Her prescription glasses were situated next to her bed. According to her son, Futhi had prepared dinner for him the previous night, but he had not seen or heard from her since, RUSA’s Prem Balram.

“An attempt to reach Futhi through her cellphone, with law enforcement officers present, proved unsuccessful, as the call was answered but the person on the other end remained silent. Futhi's colleagues at work expressed deep concern, emphasising that it was highly unusual for her not to report for duty or answer phone calls,” said Mr Balram.

Law enforcement agencies are urging the public to share this information widely, and anyone with knowledge of Ntombi Futhi's whereabouts is urged to contact Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) at 086 1234 333.