Polokwane – Police in Limpopo have intensified a manhunt for three suspects (pictured above) who kidnapped a grandmother and her adult daughter before driving them to an ATM where they withdrew money from the women’s bank accounts.
Narrating the trauma visited on the women, police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, on Friday, 15 May 2026, said the robbery occurred last weekend in Namakgale, Mopani District in Limpopo.
“On Sunday, 10 May 2026, a 43-year-old woman was at home with her daughter at Makhusane village when three unknown male suspects suddenly stormed inside the house,” recalled Colonel Ledwaba.
“The trio was armed with firearms that were pointed at her and started demanding money, but she responded that she did not have it.
“They took her cellphone and gave it to her minor daughter to call her grandmother to inform her that her 43-year-old daughter was sick and must be taken to the hospital.”
Colonel Ledwaba said the 60-year-old grandmother carried her gun and drove her charcoal Toyota GD6 double-cab bakkie to her daughter’s house, from where her granddaughter had made her distress call.
“Upon arrival at the house, the three male suspects also pointed firearms at her and demanded money,” the police spokesman said.
“The suspects robbed an elderly woman of an undisclosed amount of cash and her licensed firearm.”
Still wanting more money, the suspects stole the women’s cellphones and bank cards before driving them to a bank in the granny’s Toyota bakkie.
Two armed robbers used the women’s cards to withdraw money from an Automated Teller Machine.
More money was stolen using the grandmother’s banking app on her cellphone.
Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the women were robbed of a substantial amount of money.
“The kidnapped victims were then driven to the bushes of Mandela Zone D Section while being escorted by an unknown motor vehicle,” said the police spokesperson.
“Upon arrival, the suspects handed back the cellphones, bank cards, and keys of the bakkie to an elderly female victim.”
The women were eventually set free and told to drive straight back home without stopping.
However, the traumatised women drove straight to the police station and reported the incident.
Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said a case of house robbery and kidnapping was opened, and a massive manhunt for the suspects, whose photographs have been made public.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the wanted suspects is urged to contact the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Matome Vincent Malatjie, on 0645083650, or the crime stop number 08600 10111, or the nearest police station, or use MySAPSApp.
