• SAPS rescued two kidnapped businessmen from a bush along the R21 after their SUV was hijacked.

• The suspects forced them to hand over bank cards and PINs to steal large amounts of money.

Two businessmen were hijacked and kidnapped in Midrand before being held hostage in a bush while criminals emptied their bank accounts.

The SAPS anti-kidnapping task team rescued the men and recovered their stolen Range Rover SUV hours after the incident on Monday, 14 April.

No one has been arrested yet, but police have launched a manhunt.

The SAPS said the victims were taken by a group of men driving a silver or grey Hyundai i10.

They were forced to hand over their bank cards and PINs. The suspects then withdrew large amounts of cash while keeping them in a bush along the R21.

Their SUV was later found in Tembisa.

Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said: “We would like to assure the nation that [the SAPS] has the necessary expertise to rescue victims of kidnappings and urge friends, family and bystanders to immediately alert the SAPS when they become aware of any crime including an active kidnapping.”

According to SAPS crime statistics, kidnappings have increased in the last decade — rising by 264%, from 4,692 cases in 2014/15 to 17,061 in 2023/24.

Pictured above: SAPS Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

Image source: SAPS