A 25-year-old man arrested for his alleged involvement in a kidnapping case in Tsolo, Eastern Cape, is due to appear in the Tsolo Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 26 May 2025.
Hawks lauded for rescuing victim kidnapped in Tsolo
The suspect is linked to a disturbing incident in which a man was abducted and financially exploited after receiving a large compensation payout.
According to the Hawks, the incident happened on 3 November 2023. A man who had recently received R300,000 from the Road Accident Fund (RAF) was approached by two unknown men in Tsolo.
They claimed to be doctors working with the RAF and offered to help with his medical needs.
Instead, they reportedly kidnapped the man and transported him over 800 kilometres to Klerksdorp in the North West province. While he was being held against his will, the suspects allegedly accessed his bank account and transferred his money to accounts they controlled. The victim was eventually found and reunited with his family.
The breakthrough in the case came after months of investigation by the Hawks’ Kidnapping Task Team based in the Eastern Cape. Working with their counterparts in the North West, they tracked down one of the suspects in Klerksdorp and arrested him.
The latest uptick in kidnappings in the Eastern Cape
Hawks investigators have been actively working to tackle what appears to be a growing problem in the Eastern Cape — a rise in violent kidnappings, often carried out in broad daylight and involving multiple armed attackers.
On 9 May 2025, a businessman was kidnapped in Gqeberha in full view of the public. Security footage from the North End area showed how the victim was boxed in by two cars and violently dragged from his vehicle by four suspects dressed in construction outfits. Despite attempts by bystanders to intervene, the kidnappers managed to escape with the man and his car.
Police later confirmed that a kidnapping case was under investigation.
This follows a similar case on 24 March 2025, when a special needs teacher was kidnapped in Algoa Park by three armed men. That attack was also captured on CCTV. In both cases, the victims appeared to be targeted because of their perceived financial status.
While police have not formally linked these crimes, the similar methods suggest a well-organised syndicate may be operating across the province. In many of the incidents, the kidnappers use multiple vehicles, firearms, and often pose as workers or professionals to avoid raising suspicion.
Captain Andre Beetge from the Eastern Cape police confirmed that such abductions are under intense investigation. Authorities are working closely with national intelligence agencies to determine whether these cases are connected to a broader criminal network.
