A suspect, alleged to have kidnapped a Pakistani businessman in Hluhluwe, was shot and fatally wounded in a shoot-out with police in Empangeni on Saturday night.

The businessman was kidnapped on Wednesday morning last week.

Kidnappers demanded a ransom of R200 000, of which R90 000 was paid as a deposit.

This secured the victim’s release, with the balance supposed to have been paid on Saturday night.

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the Empangeni Tactical Response Team (TRT) initiated the operation, and a guided drop-off of the outstanding balance was arranged.

“On Saturday night, a parcel was dropped on the N2 northbound and three suspects, who were travelling in a bakkie, arrived to pick up the parcel,” he said.

“The TRT officers confronted the suspects and a shoot-out ensued.

“One suspect was shot and fatally wounded at the scene, the second fled into the bushes and disappeared in the darkness, while the third suspect drove away.

“The bakkie he was driving was found abandoned on the N2 Empangeni on-ramp.

“A firearm with a filed-off serial number was found in the possession of the deceased suspect. A manhunt for the suspects who evaded arrest is under way,” said Netshiunda.

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