Durban – A suspected kidnapper was shot and killed during a shootout with police in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, on Saturday night after authorities set up a controlled ransom drop linked to the abduction of a Pakistani businessman.
According to the South African Police Service, the businessman was kidnapped in Hluhluwe on the morning of 6 May 2026, with the suspects demanding a ransom of R200 000 for his release.
Police said an amount of R90 000 was paid the following day, after which the victim was released on condition that the outstanding balance would be paid later.
The Empangeni Tactical Response Team (TRT) then launched an operation to track down the suspects and arranged a guided drop-off for the remaining ransom money.
“On Saturday night, a parcel was dropped on the N2 northbound and three suspects, who were travelling in a bakkie, arrived to pick up the parcel,” police said in a statement.
Officers moved in to confront the suspects, triggering a gun battle.
“The TRT officers confronted the suspects and a shootout ensued. One suspect was shot and fatally wounded at the scene, the second suspect fled into the bushes and disappeared in the darkness, whilst the third suspect drove off,” police said.
Authorities later recovered the abandoned bakkie on the N2 on-ramp in Empangeni.
Police also seized a firearm with a filed-off serial number from the deceased suspect.
A manhunt has been launched for the two remaining suspects who escaped during the operation.
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Picture: Facebook / SAPS
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
