KATLEHONG, GAUTENG — Following a harrowing incident involving an Uber driver kidnapping and extortion, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) has successfully apprehended two suspects in Katlehong. The swift operation, carried out on Saturday, 20 June 2026, targeted individuals allegedly linked to a local taxi association who held a ride-hailing motorist hostage.
The ordeal unfolded at the Old Natalspruit Taxi Rank, where the Uber driver was accosted by members of a taxi association. According to statements provided to authorities, the motorist was held at gunpoint by the armed group, who demanded cash in exchange for his safe release. The victim, who only had R150 on his person at the time, handed the money over to his captors to secure his freedom.
A rapid response was mobilized after a complaint was lodged with a joint task team comprising the EMPD’s Community Liaison Unit (CLU), Overloads, and First Responding Unit (FRU) officers. Police met with the complainant at a petrol station located on the corner of Hospital and Kgotso Streets. During the briefing, the shaken driver confirmed he could positively identify his attackers, noting that the group had fled back into the bustling taxi rank following the robbery.
Accompanied by the victim, law enforcement officials swept the Old Natalspruit Taxi Rank. Although the original armed group consisted of four men, the complainant successfully singled out two of the perpetrators. The identified suspects—a 45-year-old and a 50-year-old male—spotted the approaching officers and immediately attempted to scatter and escape in opposite directions.
However, a rapid police pursuit ended with both men in handcuffs.
The duo has been detained at the Katlehong Police Station, where they are formally facing charges of kidnapping and extortion. They are scheduled to make their first appearance at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in the near future. Authorities continue to investigate the incident and are searching for the remaining two suspects who were involved in the armed hijacking.
