Cape Town – A 32-year-old man has been arrested and an Ethiopian businessman rescued unharmed following a high-speed police pursuit that spanned two provinces, the South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed on Saturday.
According to Eastern Cape police spokesperson Captain Ursula Roelofse, the incident began on Tuesday, 23 July, when a Hyundai SUV was hijacked in Kwazakele, Gqeberha.
The vehicle was later linked to the kidnapping of the businessman that same evening in Maletswai (formerly known as Aliwal North).
Acting on intelligence, a joint SAPS team tracked the suspect vehicle across provincial lines to Rouxville in the Free State. A dramatic high-speed chase ensued, ending in Raletunya Township, where the suspects abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.
#sapsEC A combined intelligence driven operation across Provincial borders led to the arrest of a suspect and the safe return of a kidnapped business man from Maletswai.
On 23/07 a vehicle was hijacked at Kwazakele in Gqeberha. Information was followed up and the vehicle was… pic.twitter.com/LOjej4X2tC— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) July 26, 2025
Police managed to apprehend one suspect — a 32-year-old man from Motherwell, Gqeberha — while the remaining three are still at large. The kidnapped businessman was rescued from the vehicle without injury.
“The case is still under investigation in the tracing of the outstanding suspects,” said Roelofse.
Joe Gqabi District Commissioner Major General Lindelwa Vellem praised the officers involved in the coordinated operation, saying:
“This successful cross-district and cross-provincial operation ensured the safe return of the kidnapped victim and demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing.”
Police have not released the name of the rescued businessman
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
