Police Initiate Manhunt for Thieves Who Took Grandma’s Gun and Cash
Polokwane – Authorities in Limpopo have escalated efforts to locate three suspects (as shown above) who kidnapped a grandmother and her adult daughter, subsequently forcing them to withdraw cash from an ATM, which the armed robbers then absconded with.
Describing the ordeal faced by the victims, police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, on Friday, 15 May 2026, reported that the robbery took place the previous weekend in Namakgale, situated in the Mopani District of Limpopo.
“On Sunday, 10 May 2026, a 43-year-old woman was at home with her daughter in Makhusane village when three unidentified male suspects abruptly entered the house,” Colonel Ledwaba recounted.
“The trio, armed with guns, aimed their weapons at her and began demanding money, to which she replied that she did not have any,” he continued.
“They seized her cellphone and instructed her minor daughter to notify her grandmother, claiming that her 43-year-old daughter was ill and needed to be taken to the hospital.”
Colonel Ledwaba further stated that the 60-year-old grandmother, armed herself, drove her charcoal Toyota GD6 double-cab bakkie to her daughter’s residence after receiving the distress call from her granddaughter.
“Upon her arrival, the three male suspects also aimed firearms at her, demanding cash,” the police spokesperson stated.
“The suspects managed to rob the elderly woman of an undisclosed sum of money along with her licensed firearm.”
Desiring further funds, the robbers took the women’s cellphones and bank cards before transporting them to a bank in the grandmother’s Toyota bakkie.
Two of the armed robbers utilized the women’s cards to withdraw cash from an Automated Teller Machine.
More money was extracted using the grandmother’s banking app on her cellphone.
Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that a significant amount of money was stolen from the victims.
“The kidnapped women were then taken to the Mandela Zone D Section bushes, accompanied by an unknown vehicle,” said the police spokesperson.
“Upon arrival, the suspects returned the cellphones, bank cards, and the bakkie’s keys to the elderly victim.”
The women were eventually released and instructed to return home immediately without stopping.
Despite this, the traumatized women went straight to the police station to report the incident.
Colonel Malesela Ledwaba stated that a case of house robbery and kidnapping has been registered, and a comprehensive manhunt for the suspects, whose images have been disseminated to the public, is underway.
Anyone with information regarding the location of the wanted suspects is encouraged to reach out to the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Matome Vincent Malatjie, at 0645083650, or the crime stop number 08600 10111, or visit the nearest police station, or utilize MySAPSApp.