Durban - A search is on for a Kloof businessman, Bruce Galloway, 59, who appears to have been abducted from his home at about 4am on Tuesday.
Galloway, a shareholder in three Spar supermarkets, one based in Inanda and two in the Transkei, is believed to have left his home at about 4am to attend a meeting in the Transkei.
Police, private investigator Brad Nathanson and Enforce Security investigators were roped in to search for Galloway.
Talking to the Daily News from Galloway’s Kloof home, his son, Wayne, said his mother, Les, awoke at 7am to dogs barking.
“My mother was inside the house and, when she went outside, she saw my dad’s car in the driveway,” Wayne said.
The car appeared to have been abandoned along the 20m driveway.
The family discovered Bruce’s wallet in the car, and his glasses and cellphone in the bushes. Money had been taken from the wallet.
“The neighbours said they also heard dogs barking at about 4am.”
Wayne said that, although his dad did go to early meetings, it wasn’t “day specific”.
Police were at the scene and bank statements were being checked to determine where Bruce might have been taken.
“Nothing makes sense. Why take him? Everything is still here. The only thing I can think of is he traded himself to get them away from the house.”
Managing director of Spar KZN Rob Phillipson said he’d actually met Galloway on Monday and described him as a “pleasant chap”.
He confirmed Galloway had been with Spar for about five years.
Galloway is also a chartered accountant and a former sugar farmer.
“We are concerned and hope the authorities find him soon,” Phillipson said.
He said it was impossible to speculate as to why he had been taken, whether it was for personal or business reasons was as yet unknown.
According to an online farmer’s weekly report, Galloway headed the Bruce Galloway group – a large cane growing company near KwaDukuza.
He was also a former chairman and vice-chairman of SA Canegrowers.
Daily News