A 23-year-old man survived a kidnapping thanks to the assistance of security company, after being taken in Mayberry Park, Alberton on August 22.

The owner of REACT-24, Garfield Venter, says they received a call from residents claiming their son had gone missing.

“At 23:45 the parents of the 23-year-old received a phone call from an anonymous caller. They claimed to have their son and demanded a ransom of R10 000. My officers notified me, and we immediately put plans in motion to get the young man home safely,” says Venter.

Upon contacting the mother, Venter and three other security officers convinced the kidnappers to collect the ransom money.

REACT-24 officers hid in a house near the arranged drop-off point at the victim’s house, until the suspects arrived.

After scanning the street to ensure that there were no police in the area, the suspects stopped at the boy’s home.

Once the vehicle stopped, the mother came out of the house and demanded to see her son. A suspect stepped out and handed him over to her. Officers pounced but the suspects managed to flee.

The young man was severely beaten up and was rushed to a local hospital where he is still recovering.

A kidnapping case was opened at Brackendowns SAPS.

According to Venter, they achieved their goal, which was getting the son back safely.