'Likeable' Business Chamber VP still missing following kidnapping

John Maytham is joined by journalist Estelle Ellis.

Listen below

Early on Friday morning, as he was driving to his company's factory in Gqeberha, 51-year-old Kelvin Naidoo was bumped by a bakkie driving behind him.

The manufacturing and technical director, who is also the deputy president of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, was dragged from his Mercedes and forced into the bakkie by men in balaclavas.

A Hawks investigation was launched, but he remains missing.

"We understand a ransom demand has been made for his safe return."

Estelle Ellis, Investigative journalist

"People are just devasted by his kidnapping, he's quite well-known in the automotive industry."

Estelle Ellis, Investigative journalist

Ellis says Naidoo is one of the people who has been taking the lead in trying to turn around the fortunes of the Eastern Cape which is currently in recession.

"Unemployment sits at around 57% in the Metro and Naidoo has been saying, let's see what we can do do turn this ship around, he is a very likeable person, a good man."

Estelle Ellis, Investigative journalist

"There's been no update. The Hawks don't always say if a ransom's been paid, and we haven't heard anything that he's been released."

Estelle Ellis, Investigative journalist

ALSO READ: 

- Gauteng police seize large sum of money stolen from kidnapped Zimbabwean businessman

Scroll up to listen to the full interview.