By Mapaballo Borotho

- Mpumalanga police rescued two kidnapping victims and arrested three suspects during an operation in Manyeveni.
- Police allege the victims were kidnapped for extortion, with one victim reportedly forced to transfer R86,000 from his bank account.
- Officers also recovered a hijacked Ford Ranger, two prohibited firearms, ammunition and several cellphones.
Police in Mpumalanga have rescued two people who were allegedly kidnapped as part of an extortion scheme and arrested three suspects linked to the incident.
The rescue operation was carried out on Thursday, 4 June 2026, following intelligence received about a carjacking and kidnapping in the Kabokweni area.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Mpho Nonyane-Mpe, officers traced the suspects to a house in Manyeveni, where they found and safely rescued the two victims.
“Members acted on intelligence regarding a carjacking and kidnapping incident in the Kabokweni area and traced the suspects to a house in Manyeveni. Upon searching the premises, three suspects aged between 28 and 35 were arrested, while two victims were found and safely rescued,” said Nonyane-Mpe.
Police allege that the suspects kidnapped the victims and forced the male victim to transfer R86,000 from his bank account.
Investigators believe the suspects had intended to extort a larger sum of money from the victims.
During the operation, police also recovered the victims’ white Ford Ranger bakkie at a tavern in Malekutu.
In addition, officers seized two prohibited firearms, ammunition and several cellular phones.
The suspects are expected to face charges including carjacking, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of prohibited firearms and unlawful possession of ammunition.
They remain in police custody and are expected to appear in court soon.
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