A prominent businessman, held captive for three months, has been rescued from a safe house in Nkuzana village, bringing an end to a harrowing ordeal

A prominent businessman, 51, has been safely rescued after being kidnapped outside his business premises in Makhado on 16 October 2024. The kidnappers, five armed suspects driving a silver Toyota Corolla, demanded a ransom of over R15 million for his release.

Thanks to a multi-disciplinary operation conducted on 24 January 2025, at Fordsburg in Johannesburg, one foreign male suspect was arrested, leading to the discovery of one of the wanted kingpins hiding in Dehoop village, Masia, Mpumalanga. The kingpin was arrested and detained at Haartebeeskop in Mpumalanga.

The duo then led the police to Limpopo, where they identified a safe house in Nkuzana village, Vuwani policing area, Vhembe district. The businessman was found captive at the safe house, where he had been held since October 2024. He’s currently receiving medical attention.

The owner of the safe house was arrested, while two foreign nationals who guarded the victim evaded arrest. A massive manhunt is underway for the remaining suspects.

Twelve suspects have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping, with three more expected to appear in court on 27 January 2025, facing kidnapping charges.