A suspect arrested in connection with the abduction and murder of Middelburg businessman Mr Muhammmad (also known as Mahmood) Nasir appeared in court today, while police continue searching for the remaining members of the group believed to have carried out the attack.

His identity cannot be published at this stage as an identification parade is still expected to take place.

Nasir was attacked in the street outside his Eastdene home on Wednesday evening by four suspects. He tried to escape, but was overpowered and forced into the boot of a silver Audi A4.

Video footage later handed to police, and seen by the Observer, shows Nasir being shot twice at the boot by one of the suspects using what appears to be an AK47 rifle.

The footage also shows one of the bullets ricocheting and striking another suspect in the lower leg.

One of the suspects is then seen wiping blood from the rear of the Audi.

The Audi was later tracked by the police, multiple security and emergency response teams, with several multidisciplinary groups working together to locate the vehicle and arrest one suspect. A drone was also used.

Nasir was a well-known businessman in Middelburg and the owner of Welcome Cash and Carry and Welcome Foods.

A source, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Observer that robbers allegedly attempted to abduct him at one of his businesses about three weeks ago, but he managed to escape unharmed.

Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane (provincial police office) confirmed this morning that police are conducting a manhunt for the remaining suspects.

The provincial police office also confirmed earlier this week that a white Toyota may also have been involved in the kidnapping.

During the abduction in Eastdene there were reportedly five men involved, including the driver. However, when the Audi was later found abandoned on a farm, it could only be confirmed that two suspects jumped out and fled on foot. It is believed the others had been dropped off earlier.

A reliable source said information suggests the suspects drove off with the Toyota in another direction in an attempt to obtain medical treatment for the gang member who sustained the gunshot wound to his leg.

• Lt Col Ndubane could not confirm whether investigators are linking the Middelburg case to a separate abduction in Mbombela on Tuesday night.

• In that incident, a businessman and his daughter stopped after another vehicle allegedly collided with them. Two men wearing balaclavas then reportedly forced them from their vehicle. Shots were fired, the daughter was left at the scene, and the businessman was abducted. The Observer’s sisters newspaper reported earlier today that he is still missing.