A suspect who had allegedly kidnapped a Pakistani businessman in Hluhluwe was shot and fatally wounded in a shootout with police at Empangeni on Saturday night, 09 May 2026.
The businessman was kidnapped on the morning of 06 May 2026 and a ransom of R200 000 was demanded. On the following day, an amount of R90 000 was paid and the victim was released on condition that the balance would be paid after his freedom was guaranteed.
The Empangeni Tactical Response Team (TRT) initiated an operation and a guided drop-off of the outstanding balance was arranged. 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.
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, whist the third suspect drove off. The bakkie he was driving was found abandoned on the N2 on-ramp at Empangeni.
A firearm whose serial number was filed off was found in the possession of the deceased suspect. A manhunt for the suspects who evaded arrest is underway.
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