Five arrested after Cape Town e-hailing driver allegedly kidnapped and r*ped
Five arrested after Cape Town e-hailing driver allegedly kidnapped and r*ped
A 25-year-old e-hailing driver was rescued by police in Cape Town’s southern suburbs on Saturday after he was allegedly kidnapped, held for ransom and r*ped.
Police traced the driver’s vehicle to Southampton Road in Heathfield after his brother reported that suspects were demanding R4,000 for his release.
Five suspects were arrested at the scene, including two women aged 23 and 34, and three males aged 16, 42 and 48. Police allege that the two women r*ped the driver while he was being held captive.
According to police, the driver had met one of the women through his e-hailing work the previous week. They exchanged contact details and remained in communication before arranging to meet on Saturday.
After arriving at the agreed location, the driver was allegedly kidnapped by the group.
Provincial police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala said officers used the vehicle’s tracking system to locate the driver following the ransom demand.
The five suspects are expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges relating to kidnapping and r*pe.
The e-hailing platform involved has not been identified. The case remains under investigation, and the suspects have not yet pleaded to the allegations.
E-hailing drivers have previously been targeted in kidnapping and robbery incidents, with SAPS crime reports documenting cases involving drivers being forced into their own vehicles and held against their will.
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