KATLEHONG, GAUTENG — A violent Uber driver kidnapping and extortion incident in Katlehong has led to the swift arrest of two suspects by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD). The joint task force apprehended the alleged taxi association members after the ride-hailing motorist was held at gunpoint and robbed at a local transit hub.
The harrowing ordeal, which took place on Saturday, 20 June 2026, began when an Uber motorist was ambushed at the Old Natalspruit Taxi Rank. According to police reports, the driver was taken hostage by a group of men allegedly linked to a local taxi association. The armed suspects demanded cash in exchange for the motorist’s safe release. With only R150 in his possession, the terrified driver handed the money over to his captors to secure his freedom.
Following the incident, a multi-unit task team comprising the EMPD’s Community Liaison Unit (CLU), Overloads, and First Responding Unit (FRU) was dispatched to the area. Officers rendezvoused with the complainant at a petrol station situated on the corner of Hospital and Kgotso Streets.
During the briefing, the victim informed law enforcement that he could positively identify his attackers, noting that the armed group had fled back into the busy taxi rank after the robbery.
Acting on this crucial information, officers escorted the complainant back to the Old Natalspruit Taxi Rank to conduct a sweep of the area. While the initial armed group consisted of four men, the victim was able to successfully pick out two of the perpetrators from the crowd.
The identified suspects—males aged 45 and 50—spotted the approaching police officers and immediately bolted in opposite directions in a bid to escape. However, EMPD officers launched a rapid foot pursuit, successfully tracking down and apprehending both men.
The duo has been locked up at the Katlehong Police Station, where they are formally facing charges of kidnapping and extortion. They are scheduled to make their first appearance at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in the near future. Police investigations are ongoing as authorities continue to search for the remaining two suspects who were involved in the armed hijacking.