Shots fired as teacher is kidnapped outside Gqeberha school: extortion fears mount

Cape Town – A 45-year-old female teacher was kidnapped on Monday morning at Happydale Special School in Algoa Park, Gqeberha.

The incident took place in the school’s parking lot.

A video circulating on social media shows the teacher arriving at work, followed closely by a white Toyota Corolla carrying the kidnappers.

A female teacher from Gqeberha was kidnapped this morning at Algoa Park.

The female teacher is seen arriving to work at Happydale Special School, and is shortly followed by a white Toyota Corrola driven by the kidnappers. pic.twitter.com/wLL0GZMZuM

— m a s h è s h a 💨 (@_mashesha) March 24, 2025

According to police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge, the Algoa Park police station received a kidnapping report at approximately 8:00 AM.

“The police can confirm that a 45-year-old female staff member at the school was kidnapped by at least three male suspects just after her arrival,” Beetge said, as per a report by News24.

“The suspects, using a white Toyota Corolla, forcefully took her into their vehicle and fled the scene again. We can confirm that two shots were fired into the air,” Beetge added.

Speculation is mounting that the teacher’s abduction may be linked to extortion, as she is believed to be married to a well-known businessman.

The suspects attacked the teacher, forced her into their vehicle, and sped off. No ransom demand has been made yet.

“She was attacked by at least three male suspects in a white Toyota Corolla, who then took her from her car and fled with her, there has not yet been a ransom demand,” IOL quouted Beetge as saying.

The kidnapping comes just weeks after extortionists in Cape Town demanded 10% of teachers’ salaries at a Phillipi East school, raising concerns about a growing trend of targeting educators.

Police investigations are ongoing.