Petrus Steyn – Police in the Free State have arrested four suspects and rescued a kidnapped businessman following a violent home invasion in Petrus Steyn in the early hours of Monday.
According to police spokesperson Mmako Mophiring, the incident occurred at around 00:30 on 16 March 2026, when a Bangladeshi couple was asleep at their home.
“It is alleged that on Monday, 16 March 2026 at approximately 00:30, a Bangladeshi foreign national and her husband were asleep at their home when the husband heard a noise outside,” said Mophiring.
The couple reportedly discovered three suspects wearing balaclavas attempting to break into the house and quickly hid their children in another room.
“The suspects, armed with handguns, entered the house and demanded money. They instructed the husband to lie on the floor and tied his hands behind his back with a rope,” Mophiring said.
#sapsFS Police acted swiftly and successfully arrested four suspects and recovered the victim’s vehicle after a businessman was allegedly robbed and #kidnapped at his residence in Petrus Steyn on Monday, 16 March 2026.
The team also successfully recovered the white Mazda CX-3… pic.twitter.com/4oqo2mhb9B
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) March 18, 2026
An undisclosed amount of cash was taken before the suspects abducted the husband and fled the scene in a white Mazda CX-3 SUV.
Police from neighbouring stations were immediately alerted, and a lookout was issued for the suspects and the vehicle.
Later that day, authorities received information that led them to Qwaqwa, where a coordinated operation involving multiple units was launched.
“The team successfully recovered the white Mazda CX-3 and an additional vehicle, a charcoal Ford Ranger, at a farm in the area. Four suspects were arrested at the scene, and the kidnapped victim was found unharmed,” Mophiring confirmed.
The operation included members from Petrus Steyn police, the Phuthaditjhaba Tactical Response Team, Crime Intelligence, Detectives, the Public Order Police Unit, and the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Detective Services.
Police have indicated that more suspects are still at large.
The four arrested suspects, all from Qwaqwa, are expected to appear before the Petrus Steyn Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, where they will face charges of armed robbery and kidnapping.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
