NAMKGALE: A manhunt for kidnapping and house robbery suspects has been intensified by the South African Police Service in Namakgale under the Mopani District.
On Sunday, 10 May 2026, a 43-year-old woman was at home with her daughter at Makhusane village when three unknown male suspects suddenly stormed inside the house.
The trio was armed with firearms that were pointed at her and started demanding money, but she responded that she did not have it. They took her cellphone and gave it to her minor daughter to call her grandmother to inform her that her 43-year-old daughter was sick and must be taken to the hospital.
A 60-year-old grandmother rushed to the house driving a charcoal Toyota GD6 Double cab bakkie. Upon arrival at the house, the three male suspects also pointed firearms at her and demanded money.
The suspects robbed an elderly woman of an undisclosed amount of cash and her licensed firearm. Afterward, the suspects took the victim’s cellphones together with bank cards and drove with them to the bank, driving a 60-year-old Toyota bakkie.
Upon arrival, two male suspects walked to the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and withdrew an undisclosed amount of money utilizing the victim’s bank cards and returned to the bakkie afterwards.
The third suspect, who was guarding the victims, also went to the ATM and withdrew cash, which was activated through a 60-year-old cellphone banking App. The victims were robbed of a substantial amount of money in cash.
The kidnapped victims were then driven to the bushes of Mandela Zone D Section while being escorted by an unknown motor vehicle. Upon arrival, the suspects handed back the cellphones, bank cards, and keys of the bakkie to an elderly female victim.
The trio was released and instructed to drive back home and not to stop anywhere because they would be monitored. The victims drove straight to the police station and reported the incident on arrival at the premises.
A case of house robbery and kidnapping was opened, and a massive manhunt for the unknown suspects is currently ongoing.
Anyone with information that can assist with the apprehension of the three unknown male suspects is urged to contact the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Matome Vincent Malatjie, on 0645083650 or crime stop number 08600 10111 or nearest police station or MySAPSApp.
Police investigations are continuing.