NAMKGALE: Authorities in Namakgale, within the Mopani District, have escalated efforts to locate individuals involved in a recent kidnapping and house robbery.
On Sunday, May 10, 2026, a 43-year-old woman was at her residence with her daughter in Makhusane village when three unidentified men forcibly entered her home.
The armed intruders demanded money, which the woman explained she did not possess. They then seized her cellphone and instructed her daughter to contact her grandmother, misleading her into saying the woman was unwell and needed to be taken to the hospital.
A 60-year-old grandmother quickly arrived at the scene, driving a charcoal Toyota GD6 Double cab bakkie. Upon her arrival, the suspects threatened her with firearms and demanded money as well.
The suspects robbed the grandmother of a significant amount of cash along with her licensed firearm. They subsequently took the victims’ cellphones and bank cards and drove them to a bank in an older model Toyota bakkie.
Upon reaching the bank, two of the suspects approached the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and withdrew money using the cards before returning to the vehicle.
The third suspect, who stayed with the victims, also used the cellphone banking app to withdraw cash at the ATM. The victims ended up losing a considerable sum of money.
The victims were then taken to a remote area in Mandela Zone D Section, where they were released. The suspects returned their cellphones, bank cards, and car keys, instructing them to drive home without stopping as they would be monitored.
Once they were able to reach home, the victims went directly to the police station to report the incident.
A case involving house robbery and kidnapping has been officially recorded, prompting a significant manhunt for the suspects.
Authorities encourage anyone with information that could help identify the three men to contact Investigating Officer Sergeant Matome Vincent Malatjie at 0645083650, reach the crime stop number at 08600 10111, or visit the nearest police station or MySAPSApp.
Investigations by the police are ongoing.
