A swift and coordinated effort by the Gauteng police has led to the arrest of three kidnappers and the rescue of a 30-year-old victim in Kagiso. The suspects, aged between 23 and 25, were apprehended by members of the West Rand SAPS during the early hours of Saturday, May 2, just 24 hours after the kidnapping took place.
According to Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, the provincial police spokesperson, the kidnappers had broken into a house in Kagiso and abducted the victim, demanding a ransom of R500,000 from the family. A multi-disciplinary task team was immediately activated, comprising West Rand Crime Intelligence, Kagiso Visible Policing, West Rand TRIO detectives, Highway Patrol, and K9 unit.
Intelligence-Driven Operation
Through an intelligence-driven operation and technical surveillance, the team traced the suspects to a premises in Tshepisong Phase 1. Three suspects were apprehended at the scene, and the team seized a white Suzuki bakie, Capitec bank cards, and cell phones believed to have been used in the commission of the crime. The victim has since been reunited with their family.
The three suspects are expected to appear in the Kagiso Magistrate’s Court on May 4, 2026, and face charges of kidnapping and extortion. In a separate incident, police also confirmed that a nine-year-old girl who was kidnapped for ransom on March 3, has been successfully rescued and reunited with her family. Four suspects have been arrested and are expected to appear before the Johannesburg court on charges of kidnapping and extortion.
Commendation from the Police Commissioner
Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, commended the swift response by the team. The South African Police Service has been working tirelessly to combat serious and violent crimes, and this successful rescue is a testament to their dedication. For more information on the police’s efforts to prevent crime, visit the Government of South Africa’s website.
Some of the ways to prevent kidnapping include:
- Being aware of your surroundings, especially in public places
- Avoiding walking alone at night
- Keeping valuables secure and out of sight
- Not carrying large amounts of cash
- Reporting any suspicious activity to the police immediately
By working together, we can create a safer community for everyone. If you have any information about a crime, you can report it to the police on 08600 10111 or at your nearest police station.
