WESTERN CAPE – Steenberg police have arrested five suspects in connection with the kidnapping and rape of a 25-year-old e-hailing driver, who was rescued after being held for ransom in Heathfield.
The incident originated the previous week when the victim met one of the female suspects through his e-hailing business. After exchanging contact information and communicating throughout the week, the victim arranged to meet her. Upon arrival at the designated location, he was abducted and sexually assaulted by the group of suspects.
The victim’s brother was subsequently contacted by the suspects, who demanded a ransom of R4,000 in cash for the driver’s release. Acting on this intelligence, Steenberg police utilized the victim’s vehicle tracking system to locate him at Southampton Road in Heathfield, where he was successfully rescued.
A Steenberg police spokesperson confirmed that the five suspects—two females, aged 23 and 34, and three males, aged 16, 42, and 48—were taken into custody at the scene. The spokesperson stated that the accused are scheduled to appear before the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 14 September 2026, to face formal charges related to the abduction, assault, and extortion.
Police have commended the quick response enabled by the vehicle tracking technology and the family’s prompt reporting of the ransom demand, which were critical factors in the victim’s safe recovery.
