Watch As a Businessman is kidnapped in Middelburg
A Middelburg businessman was kidnapped, assaulted and robbed by suspects posing as police officers this morning (May 25).
According to information received from security teams and sources on the scene, the incident happened shortly after 09:00 at business premises in Slegtkamp Street.
The kidnappers, reportedly wearing partial police uniforms, forced the man into the boot of a white VW Polo with no registration plates before fleeing with his charcoal BMW 3 Series.
During the ordeal, the victim was assaulted and forced to contact his wife to transfer approximately R40 000 via EFT.
The kidnappers later used the victim’s keys to gain access to his home, where the property was ransacked and items were stolen.
A large-scale search operation involving SAPS, Aiguille Security, Mortelmans Security Services, and N17 Emergency Response was launched as the suspects fled towards Ogies and Phola outside Middelburg.
The victim’s BMW was later found abandoned on a dirt road behind Black Wattle Mine.
Responding teams eventually located the injured businessman in the Phola area. The alleged kidnappers fled on foot moments before authorities arrived.
Authorities found the white VW Polo on the scene, with a dummy firearm and an official police cap. It was determined that the Polo, which was used to kidnap and transport the victim in the boot of the car, was previously flagged as stolen.
The man received medical treatment at the scene before being taken to a local clinic and was later transferred to Life Midmed Hospital for further medical treatment.
The police and forensic teams later processed the victim’s home as part of the investigation.
The motive for the kidnapping remains under investigation and no arrests had been made at the time of publication.
• The police have not yet released an official statement.
