Two businessmen who were hijacked and kidnapped in Midrand on Monday, April 14, were successfully rescued within hours by the SAPS’ Anti-Kidnapping Task Team.

According to police, the victims were targeted on the premises of a car rental company, where a group of suspects in a silver/grey Hyundai i10 hijacked them.

The victims were taken to dense bushes along the R21, where they were held hostage and forced to hand over their bank cards and PINs.

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The kidnappers then began withdrawing large amounts of money from their accounts.

A multidisciplinary SAPS-led task team was immediately activated and quickly tracked the victims’ location.

Both men were found and rescued from the bushy area, and their hijacked Range Rover SUV was later recovered in Thembisa.

The SAPS Anti-Kidnapping Task Team, supported by units including National Crime Intelligence, SAPS Flying Squad, Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing, Police Emergency Services, and Vision Tactical Security, were praised for their swift and coordinated response.

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“We want to assure the public that SAPS has the expertise to handle kidnapping cases and urges anyone with knowledge of a crime in progress to alert authorities immediately,” said SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.

Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects, who remain at large. Authorities confirmed that the same Hyundai i10 may be used in other similar crimes, and have urged the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities.

Anyone with information related to the suspects is urged to contact SAPS.