Polokwane – Limpopo police are investigating a brazen case of kidnapping and extortion after a man was allegedly abducted at gunpoint from a guest house and forced to transfer more than R900 000 to his captors.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the man’s ordeal, which lasted several days, began on Friday, 17 April 2026, at about 07:00 in the village of Letebejane, Limpopo.
Brigadier Mashaba said the victim was at a guest house with his girlfriend when three unknown male suspects, armed with firearms and with their faces covered, approached them.
The suspects allegedly pointed guns at the couple and ordered the man to get into his parked Ford Ranger vehicle.
They then drove him to an unknown location near Pretoria, where they forced him to open his banking app and make several electronic transfers.
The ordeal continued for several days.
On Thursday, 23 April 2026, the kidnappers took the victim to a shopping mall in the Hammanskraal area (north of Pretoria) and instructed him to enter a bank branch to carry out further transactions.
Throughout the incident, the suspects repeatedly threatened him, claiming his girlfriend was being held hostage and would be killed if he alerted the police or tried to get help.
Under extreme duress, the man transferred more than R900 000 to accounts controlled by the suspects.
Police detectives from the Limpopo Provincial Organised Crime unit have since opened a case of kidnapping and extortion.
Preliminary investigations show that the victim’s Ford Ranger, fitted with a tracking device, is now believed to be in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Brigadier Mashaba said the victim was eventually released, though police have not disclosed further details about his girlfriend’s situation or how he managed to report the crime.
Anyone with information that could help locate the suspects is urged to contact him, the nearest police station, Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or use the MySAPS App.
Sergeant Ronnie Hlakole is the investigating officer and can be contacted on 073 412 5932.
The case highlights the growing threat of organised kidnapping-for-ransom and extortion syndicates operating across provinces and even into neighbouring countries.
