Police tape at a crime scene According to SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the suspects – driving a silver Hyundai i10 – forced the men into a hijacked SUV, took them to a secluded area, and coerced them into handing over their bank cards and PINs.
Image: Keran Ducasse
In a swift and coordinated operation, the Gauteng police’s anti-kidnapping task team rescued two businessmen just hours after they were hijacked and abducted in Midrand on Monday. The swift response was also agitated by the increased number of policemen in and around Johannesburg.
‘Live and visible policing’ is Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero’s initiative to curb crime in the city. The initiative was praised by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who said he was pleased with what he described as a cleaner and safer Johannesburg.
Ramaphosa has lauded the effectiveness of visible policing in Johannesburg, noting a marked sense of safety during a recent late-night surprise visit through the city.
The victims, whose identities have not been disclosed, were lured and attacked on the premises of a car rental company before being taken to a remote bushland near the R21 highway.
According to SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the suspects – driving a silver Hyundai i10 – forced the men into a hijacked SUV, took them to a secluded area, and coerced them into handing over their bank cards and PINs. “The kidnappers then began withdrawing large sums of money from their accounts,” Mathe said. “Fortunately, a multidisciplinary police unit was mobilised quickly and located the victims in dense bush. Their Range Rover was also recovered in Thembisa.”
While the victims escaped with their lives, a manhunt for the kingpins is underway. Authorities have urged anyone with information about the Hyundai i10 or suspicious activity to come forward.
This incident adds to a growing number of kidnappings and hijackings reported in Johannesburg and surrounding areas.
According to the SAPS 2024 crime statistics, Gauteng recorded over 1,600 kidnappings and more than 12 000 hijackings in the past year alone. Johannesburg remains the hotspot for both crimes, often fuelled by organised syndicates targeting high-income individuals.
These attacks are increasingly well-orchestrated and often involve multiple perpetrators, getaway vehicles, and premeditated knowledge of the victim’s finances.
The efficiency with which victims are forced to part with banking details has raised serious concerns about whether insider information is being leaked. Some have begun to question whether estate security personnel and bank officials — individuals who may have access to victims' personal or financial information — could be colluding with criminals. If true, this would point to a deeply embedded network behind the spate of kidnappings.
With the rise in such incidents, experts recommend several safety measures for drivers and business patrons. People are urged to avoid predictable travel patterns and routes and to be aware of their surroundings, especially near driveways, traffic lights, or isolated roads.
People are also urged not to use cellphones when walking to or from their cars, to install vehicle tracking systems and panic buttons, and to share their live location with trusted contacts.
Furthermore, authorities urge the public to report any suspicious behaviour immediately, whether it’s a strange vehicle idling in the neighbourhood or unfamiliar individuals loitering near entrances and exits of estates or commercial premises.
Brigadier Mathe stressed that while police have the expertise to handle these crimes, prevention begins with public awareness and community involvement. “Every report counts, every tip-off can help save a life,” she said.
