Criminals targeted a group of security guards working in the Welverdiend area this week. This crime took place on April 14.

Three security guards, employees of a company employed by Transnet, were patrolling in the area of the mini substations at the railway houses at the entrance to Welverdiend at approximately 23:30.

They were walking between the two substations when they suddenly heard gunshots very close to them. The guards started running in different directions.

One of the guards looked back and saw three suspects chase after his two colleagues and much to his horror, catch up with them.

Early the next morning one of the guards who had been grabbed phoned his supervisor. The guard said that he and his colleague had been kidnapped and that the thugs demanded a ransom for their safe return.

The two guards were, however, released later the same day between the Elijah Barayi mega housing complex and Deelkraal. They had, however, been badly assaulted.

Detectives are investigating cases of damage to infrastructure, kidnapping and extortion.