Man Kidnapped in Limpopo and Coerced to Transfer R900,000 to His Captors

Polokwane – Authorities in Limpopo are probing a shocking incident of kidnapping and extortion involving a man who was reportedly seized at gunpoint from a guest house and coerced into transferring over R900 000 to his abductors.

According to police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, the harrowing experience of the victim commenced on Friday, 17 April 2026, around 07:00 in the village of Letebejane, Limpopo.

Brigadier Mashaba detailed that the victim was at a guest house with his girlfriend when three armed male suspects, their faces concealed, approached them.

The assailants purportedly aimed firearms at the couple and insisted that the man enter his parked Ford Ranger vehicle.

They then transported him to an undisclosed location near Pretoria, compelling him to access his banking app and execute multiple electronic transfers.

The nightmare persisted for several days.

On Thursday, 23 April 2026, the kidnappers brought the victim to a shopping mall in the Hammanskraal area (to the north of Pretoria) and instructed him to visit a bank branch for additional transactions.

Throughout the ordeal, the suspects continuously threatened him, asserting that his girlfriend was being held captive and would be harmed if he contacted the police or sought assistance.

Amidst immense pressure, the man transferred over R900 000 to accounts managed by the assailants.

Detectives from the Limpopo Provincial Organised Crime unit have initiated a case of kidnapping and extortion.

Early investigations reveal that the victim’s Ford Ranger, equipped with a tracking device, is now thought to be in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Brigadier Mashaba confirmed that the victim was ultimately released; however, further details regarding his girlfriend’s condition or how he was able to report the crime remain undisclosed.

Anyone with information that could aid in locating the suspects is encouraged to reach out to him, contact the nearest police station, Crime Stop at 08600 10111, or utilize the MySAPS App.

Sergeant Ronnie Hlakole is the investigating officer and can be reached at 073 412 5932.

This case underscores the escalating danger posed by organized kidnapping-for-ransom and extortion syndicates operating across provinces and extending into neighboring nations.