A 55-year-old father and businessman was kidnapped in Bronkhorstspruit on Thursday, April 13.

Juca Leonardo was last seen wearing dark blue denim and a blue polo shirt with Pick N Pay logo and his name on the shirt with a dark blue jacket, according to police spokesperson Constable Munyadziwa Ramovha.

His car, a Mercedes Benz G wagon, was found at Vesterpark (R568 road) with bullet holes in the windscreen on Friday.

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Private investigator Mike Bolhuis told Rekord that “this kidnapping was well-oiled as the suspects were possibly heavily armed”.

“We were called, with security and friends who assisted in trying to locate Juca.

“His vehicle was seemingly found in a different spot from his abduction.”

He said they did not suspect the victim to be harmed as there was no blood where his vehicle was found.

Bolhuis said they are following leads on their end and were in engagement with police and security companies.

“We have seven special investigators on this case.”

He said in Bronkhorstspruit there was a large number of business robberies and kidnappings.

“Certain businessmen have been targeted and this is not the first incident.”

Bolhuis said the family was taking this matter “extremely hard” as the man was a husband and father.

He pleaded with the public to refrain from sharing unverified information on the case.

“We plead with those with the slightest information to contact us or the police.

“The police request anyone with information about this incident to please contact Sergeant Kube on 0726977851 or SAPS Bronkhorstspruit on 013 932 9222.

Tip-offs can also be reported on the MySaps App which can be downloaded on any smartphone.”

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