2 businessmen rescued by SAPS anti-kidnapping task team after Midrand hijacking
2 businessmen rescued by SAPS anti-kidnapping task team after Midrand hijacking! Two Johannesburg-based businessmen were successfully rescued by the South African Police Service (SAPS) anti-kidnapping task team on Monday, just hours after being hijacked and abducted in Midrand. The swift operation is being hailed as another victory for the SAPS’s ongoing efforts to combat the alarming rise in kidnappings for ransom across the country.
Hijacked in Broad Daylight
According to SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the victims were ambushed on the premises of a car rental company. A group of suspects driving a silver or grey Hyundai i10 hijacked the men and forcibly took them to an isolated location.
“The two men were hijacked by a group of criminals driving a silver/grey Hyundai i10 on the premises of a car rental company, and thereafter kept in a bush along the R21 where they were forced to hand over their bank cards and PINs,” said Mathe.
SAPS anti-kidnapping task team
The assailants began withdrawing substantial amounts of cash from the men’s bank accounts while they remained captive in the dense brush area.
Swift Response from Law Enforcement
Upon receiving the report, a multidisciplinary team was immediately mobilised. The coordinated effort was spearheaded by the SAPS Anti-Kidnapping Task Team and included units from Crime Intelligence, Police Emergency Services, the Flying Squad, Gauteng Traffic Police Air Wing, and Vision Tactical Security.
“The two male victims were found in dense bushes and rescued. Their hijacked Range Rover SUV was later recovered in Tembisa,” Mathe confirmed.
She added that the success of the rescue highlights SAPS’s ability to respond effectively to high-risk, time-sensitive crimes: “We want to assure the public that we have the necessary expertise and resources to act swiftly in cases of kidnappings.”
Public Urged to Stay Vigilant
SAPS has once again urged the public to report crimes immediately, emphasizing that timely information is critical in solving and preventing crimes such as hijackings and kidnappings.
“We encourage friends, family, and bystanders to contact the SAPS the moment they suspect any suspicious activity. Community cooperation is vital in securing swift rescues and arrests,” said Mathe. “We also encourage citizens to remain alert and vigilant, especially when in public spaces or conducting business transactions.”
Manhunt Underway for Suspects
While the victims were rescued safely and their vehicle recovered, the suspects remain at large. SAPS has launched a manhunt, focusing on tracking down the criminals responsible for the brazen abduction.
“The suspects are believed to be using a Hyundai i10 as their mode of transport and tool to commit these crimes. Anyone who spots a vehicle matching this description and acting suspiciously is urged to come forward,” added Mathe.
Tip-offs and information that could lead to arrests can be reported anonymously through the SAPS Crime Stop hotline or local police stations.
Part of a Larger Pattern
This incident is the latest in a string of high-profile kidnapping cases in the Gauteng province. Just last month, police rescued a 55-year-old Pakistani businessman in a separate operation that led to the arrest of four individuals — two South African nationals and two Pakistani nationals. That intelligence-led operation, which spanned various locations across Gauteng, also resulted in the seizure of an illegal firearm and a vehicle.
At the time, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said the arrests were part of an ongoing crackdown on kidnapping syndicates believed to be targeting businesspeople for financial gain.
As the investigation continues, SAPS is calling on the public to work together with law enforcement to stop the spike in kidnappings and bring those responsible to justice.
