LIMPOPO — A brazen Tshamutumbu farm carjacking and kidnapping has sparked an urgent manhunt across the Vhembe District, culminating in the bizarre discovery of a hijacked luxury SUV submerged in the Limpopo River. Law enforcement officials are currently sweeping the rural area for four armed assailants who abducted a local farm worker during the weekend before ditching his vehicle.
The violent incident unfolded on Saturday, 08 August 2026, at approximately 11:30. According to preliminary reports, the victim was busy with his daily duties on the farm when he was suddenly ambushed by four unknown suspects. The attackers approached the worker armed with a firearm and a knife, quickly taking control of the scene.
Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed the harrowing details of the abduction, noting the swift and calculated nature of the crime.
“The suspects reportedly demanded the victim’s vehicle. They then forced him into the loading area of the vehicle and covered his face before driving away with him,” Colonel Ledwaba stated.
With the victim held captive in the back of the truck, the armed gang fled the initial crime scene. They transported him to a secondary location, eventually dropping the victim off at a different farm situated near the banks of the Limpopo River. Following the release of the worker, the suspects continued their escape in the stolen vehicle.
The hijacked vehicle has been identified as a white Toyota Land Cruiser, a high-demand SUV valued at approximately R700,000.
Following an intensive search, tracking efforts led police to the Limpopo River, where the stolen Land Cruiser was discovered abandoned directly in the middle of the water. Upon retrieving and inspecting the vehicle, investigators found that the suspects had taken the time to strip specific parts of the SUV before fleeing on foot; the vehicle’s battery and spare wheel were notably missing.
No arrests have been made in connection with the carjacking and kidnapping as the manhunt intensifies.
Investigators are urging anyone who might possess information regarding the identity, whereabouts, or potential accomplices of the four suspects to come forward immediately. Members of the public can contact the lead investigating officer, Sergeant Manyaga Freddie, directly on 082 565 7907. Alternatively, tips can be reported anonymously via the nearest police station, the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111, or through the MySAPS App.
Police investigations into the syndicate’s motives and whereabouts are ongoing.
