Kidnappers on the loose after ransacking bank accounts of victims, including Gauteng traffic warden
The Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing was roped in to help with the search of the victims.
Police are currently searching for an unknown number of suspects linked to the kidnapping and robbery of four individuals in Akasia, along the R80.
The search follows police rescuing the four victims, which includes a Gauteng Traffic Warden in Hammanskraal on January 14.
The Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing responded to a call for air support in the Akasia area along the R80, where four Gauteng Traffic Wardens had been kidnapped. Acting on crucial intelligence, officers were informed that the victims were being held in a house in Hammanskraal.… pic.twitter.com/bahLkvJtp2
— GP Department of Community Safety (@GP_CommSafety) January 16, 2025
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing was roped in to assist in the search for the victims.
The airwing’s expertise was needed after police received a tip-off indicating that the victims were held hostage in Stinkwater, north of Pretoria.
“The victims were allegedly abducted by unknown suspects driving a Quantum vehicle,” said Nevhuhulwi.
Nevhuhulwi said during the kidnapping, the suspects forced the victims to give them access to their bank accounts using their cellphone banking app.
She said the suspects made unauthorised transactions.
“They also swiped some funds at a local mall.
“The airwing team successfully spotted the four kidnapped victims on the street after the suspects left them.”
Nevhuhulwi noted that it is believed the suspects realised that they were being pursued and abandoned the victims in a desperate attempt to evade capture.
She confirmed only one of the four victims was a traffic warden.
“No suspects have been arrested as yet, and a case of kidnapping and robbery is opened for further investigating.”
Also read: Three arrested in hijacked vehicle in Central
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