South African police have rescued a 25-year-old e-hailing driver in Cape Town after his alleged kidnappers demanded R4,000 for his release.
The driver was rescued by officers of the South African Police Service from Southampton Road in Heathfield after his brother alerted the police to the ransom demand.
The South African Police Service said in a statement on Sunday that officers used the victim’s vehicle tracker to locate him and rescue him.
Police alleged that the driver was kidnapped and raped by two female suspects before being held by the group for ransom.
The victim had reportedly met one of the women through his e-hailing business the previous week. The two exchanged phone numbers and remained in contact before agreeing to meet.
According to the police, the driver was kidnapped when he went to meet the woman.
“When he went to meet her, he was kidnapped by the suspects and the females raped him,” SAPS said.
Police subsequently arrested five suspects in connection with the incident.
The suspects are two women, aged 23 and 34, and three men aged 16, 42 and 48.
SAPS said the five suspects were expected to appear before the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, September 14, 2026, to face charges relating to the alleged kidnapping and rape.
The police said the investigation was ongoing.
