A 25-year-old e-hailing driver was rescued by Steenberg police on Saturday, 12 September 2026, after he was kidnapped and sexually assaulted in Heathfield, Cape Town. Five suspects were arrested and are expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 14 September, on charges of kidnapping, rape and extortion.
The police account was provided by Western Cape police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala in a statement. She said the victim’s brother alerted officers after the suspects called demanding a R4 000 ransom.
“Police were informed by the victim’s brother, who was contacted by the suspects, demanding R4000 cash to release him. They located the victim through his vehicle tracker and found him at Southampton Road in Heathfield.”
According to the statement, the victim met one of the female suspects through his e-hailing business the previous week. They exchanged numbers and arranged to meet, but when he arrived he was ambushed by the group.
Two women, aged 23 and 34, along with two men aged 42 and 48, and a 16-year-old male minor were taken into custody at the scene. Steenberg police said the vehicle’s tracking device was critical in locating the driver quickly.
The suspects face charges of kidnapping, rape and extortion. The allegations have not yet been tested in court and no pleas were entered as of Sunday evening.
It remains unclear how the five suspects are linked or what role each allegedly played. CapeFlats.co.za will provide an update following the court appearance on Monday.